A controversial park in Tamaqua may have found a solution to the woes that have plagued it since it opened.

Most of the other playgrounds in the area have a sponsoring organization that cares for and maintains the park; however, the Willing Street Skate park is a bit of an orphan.Although various groups have attempted to take ownership of the park over the years, nothing has stuck, and the area around the park is known for drug deals and vandalism.Josh Schaeffer, president of On the Grind Association, appeared before Tamaqua Borough Council Tuesday night to explain how his nonprofit organization, specializing in rehabilitating skate parks and fundraising for them, can help the borough.Schaeffer, who also owns his own concrete business, is originally from the area and is looking to help the park as a way to give back to the place where he himself skated."We raise our own money, from start to end," he said. "We take over the park and make it what it was, and what it's supposed to be. We put an end to all the bad activity in the area."Schaeffer said skaters tend to get a bad rap because of the other nefarious activity in the area, but in actuality, the skaters are the ones fighting to maintain and protect their equipment.Schaeffer presented council with a tentative plan to renovate the park, including cement skating fixtures that are virtually indestructible and will last. Schaeffer cited other parks his group has helped, including a current project in Shoemakersville.Council was impressed with Scheaffer's presentation, and although the paperwork will need to be reviewed, voted to pursue entering into a maintenance agreement with the organization, pending the receipt of all proper documentation. Councilman Micah Gursky said council has waited a long time to find an organization willing to take on the park, and they are hopeful this will finally bring stability to the park.