Bertie Mayes makes a valid point in her response to complaints that Roanoke is a No Fun Zone for kids and teens ("Limit the fun to safe areas," Feb. 5 Pick of the day). Her injury and its lingering effects are certainly not trivial in the least.

There is no question that individuals engaged in any activity in the public space must behave in a way that does not endanger others. However, I thought it was also telling that her specific experience would not have been changed in any way by the type of signage in question, which specifically restricts skateboards and bicycles. I have never seen a sign that said anything along the lines of "No football playing."

Following her logic, we as a society would need to ban from the public space any activity in which there is even a remote possibility of causing harm to anyone. This is the logical extension of the anti-skateboarding signage on Grandin Road, and certainly would create a No Fun Zone as well as a No Freedom Zone.

For a very interesting story about this same issue in Philadelphia and the challenges faced related to skateboarding in public space, visit http://snd.sc/WgvIYG.

WILLIAM ALEXANDER
ROANOKE

Weather Journal

13 hours ago