It seems like, “There’s nothing to do in North Kitsap” is an all too common lament among youth here. Yeah, all this wide open space, ballfield accessibility, woods and water, what the heck’s fun about any of that? But adult residents can only take so much of the “are we there yet?” attitude before they feel the need to reply, or as the case may be, do something about it.

In this vein, Kitsap County spent $150,000 in July 2001 and gave a segment of these kids exactly what they wanted — a skate park on Lindvog Road. And while there are certainly children who are using the park for its intent, others see it simply as a playground for destruction.

It’s gotten so bad the county is considering pulling the battered trash can from the site — something which might save it from an untimely trip to the scrap heap but will surely mean garbage will simply be tossed on the ground instead.

Is the rampant vandalism a sign that many skaters don’t give a rip about how they are viewed by the community? Ballfields and “traditional” sporting venues seem to rarely get so badly abused that every single amenity on site must be removed. Or is it the fact that few parents and adults are regularly on hand at the Kingston Skate Park to ensure it isn’t misused. Are the skaters the ones doing it all?

If so, they really need to consider the consequences of their actions — surely a tall order for most teens but one that must be made anyway.

Question to the vandals, whoever they may be: What exactly do you get out of defacing a piece of property that you own? That’s right you knuckleheads — you own it. Would you trash your CD collection or burn your cell phone? No?

Why not?

Oh right, you or your parents bought those.

Guess what? You also both helped purchase the Kingston Skate Park with your taxes. It’s yours. But it also belongs to all your neighbors, too. In that context, vandalizing it shouldn’t make much, if any, sense.

We’re not quite “there yet” with the park, but we’re getting close and when we reach our destination we can only hope that the county will be ready to make a use it correctly, or lose it decision.

Kingston deserves a skate park, not an eyesore.