Hackensack, NJ Community Message Boards

General Category => Hackensack Discussion => Topic started by: Anthony on January 10, 2007, 04:29:03 PM

Title: Street Hockey in Staib Park
Post by: Anthony on January 10, 2007, 04:29:03 PM
Any interest in starting a spring street hockey league in Staib Park for kids ages 12 and up? It could include kids from Hackensack, Maywood, Rochelle Park, and South Hackensack and done right could lead to a feeder program for HHS ice hockey program. Please post any thoughts.

Title: Re: Street Hockey in Staib Park
Post by: Editor on January 11, 2007, 08:14:55 PM
We did this a couple of years ago.  I hope we get the weather to keep the rink frozen.  Maybe we can get the HFD to fill it a few days in advance of some cold weather.


Title: Re: Street Hockey in Staib Park
Post by: Anthony on January 12, 2007, 05:57:21 PM
Thanks for the input!  I was actually hoping to utilize the rink in the spring playing street hockey.  Presently, street hockey isn't a sport sponsored by the rec or any of the youth organizations in town.  Although we don't have boards at Staib, I was hoping to start at the grassroots level of just exposing kids to hockey by setting up a couple of goals and letting them play.  If there is enough kids interested, we can take it to the next level.   

I've heard rumors that Maywood might build a roller hockey rink and there is already one in place in Rochelle Park adjacent to their town pool.  I don't know if South Hack has anything available.

My ultimate goal would be to start a street hockey league with the kids from the HHS sending districts.  If there is interest in changing it to roller hockey, the same rink would be used.  If those same kids develop ice skating skills, we can sponsor a house league at the Ice House and prep the kids for High School.   

Naturally, I'm WAY ahead of myself and am really just trying to introduce the kids/parents to an option they might not realize is available.  Not every kid plays football, basketball, soccer and baseball.  The kids are EXTREMELY lucky to have hockey available in high school.  Problem is most of the kids don't know about it until they get to high school and by then the other schools are skating circles around them. 

Any suggestions, ideas, comments are appreciated.
Title: Re: Street Hockey in Staib Park
Post by: ericmartindale on January 12, 2007, 10:07:58 PM
There was a big drive to set this up a number of years ago (5-10)? 

The issue made headlines when it was discovered that a Hackensack Policeman who lived in Maywood EMBEZZLED the money set aside for the program, and then lost it gambling.  The money may have been raised through donations and fund-raising events.

I know there were also NJDEP issues regarding stream encroachment, but this was not necessarily a deal-killer.  I believe they wanted a 50-foot setback.

It would appear that the effort died as a result.  Perhaps Anthony could get in touch with the organizers of that effort and try to rekindle it.  This sounds like a good program that should be pursued.