Skatepark re-opens on base Published April 10, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Jake Eckhardt 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The skatepark in Patriot's Landing re-opened March 1 after its one year closure. The park was closed because of vandalism, lack of upkeep and lack of use. First Lt. Claudia Santos, 375th Force Support Squadron deputy services flight commander, said, "There was a lot of investment put into the park initially. If we have it, we might as well use it." Before the closure, the only enforcement the park had was the Youth Center. To enforce the curfew, safety and that the park was kept in working condition, Santos and her team asked other organizations on base, such as security forces, to keep an eye on it. The hope is for the park users to have a new appreciation for the park and be more responsible for the equipment and people. The skatepark will close again if the rules and regulations are not followed. "I think that most of the users will be responsible, and they will know what to do if there is a disruption," she said. "I am hoping they will have a sense of empowerment about having a skatepark and will want to take care of it." Before the skatepark re-opened, the team checked all the equipment to make sure it was safe enough to still be used. "I think it's good that it's open," she said. "It's another convenient way for the youth on base to go out and enjoy themselves."