City officials say skateboarders who do tricks are grinding down the edges of benches and curbs and scaring pedestrians. 15-year-old skateboarder Dylan Kestler asked the council to reject the ban. 

"We’re not intending to damage property. It’s an obstacle and it’s fun to skate." 

But Stephen Power – a downtown property manager – says skateboards and downtown don’t mix. 

"The kids just don’t realize how frightening it is to have somebody burst out at high speed on a skateboard in a pedestrian area. The second issue is the property damage and we have it in spades."

The new ordinance bans skateboarding on sidewalks in the business districts, Town Square and other public areas. Before approving the ban, city council members pointed out that skateboarders can use the town’s skatepark.