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Owner of controversial backyard ice rink reaches a deal with Montgomery officials Owner of controversial backyard ice rink reaches a deal with Montgomery officials
(35 minutes later)
The battle over a backyard hockey rink is over.The battle over a backyard hockey rink is over.
Montgomery County officials have agreed to build a synthetic hockey rink in Poolesville, Md., similar to the controversial one Marc Kohn built in his yard to honor his late stepdaughter, a lifelong hockey fan.Montgomery County officials have agreed to build a synthetic hockey rink in Poolesville, Md., similar to the controversial one Marc Kohn built in his yard to honor his late stepdaughter, a lifelong hockey fan.
“It’s really incredible,” Kohn said. “I actually can’t believe it. I’ve had so many people tell me that they’ve never seen the government work so fast.”“It’s really incredible,” Kohn said. “I actually can’t believe it. I’ve had so many people tell me that they’ve never seen the government work so fast.”
Gabe Albornoz, director of the county’s recreation department, said the rink will cost between $70,000 and $140,000 to build. The county will use existing funds and won’t need County Council approval. Gabriel Albornoz, director of the county’s Recreation Department, said the rink will cost between $70,000 and $140,000 to build. The county will use existing funds and won’t need County Council approval.
“Marc clearly tapped into a real need and interest for some place to skate in Poolesville,” Albornoz said. “Hockey and ice skating in general is growing and on the rise.”“Marc clearly tapped into a real need and interest for some place to skate in Poolesville,” Albornoz said. “Hockey and ice skating in general is growing and on the rise.”
Kohn opened Mel’s Rink in mid-December, naming it after his stepdaughter Melanie Osborne, who died from respiratory disease. The rink, set atop rolling fields of grass in rural Poolesville, was an instant hit with kids and their parents. Kohn opened Mel’s Rink in mid-December, naming it after his stepdaughter Melanie Osborne, who died of a respiratory disease. The rink, set atop rolling fields of grass in rural Poolesville, was an instant hit with children and their parents.
[His ice rink honors a stepdaughter’s memory. Now inspectors may close it.][His ice rink honors a stepdaughter’s memory. Now inspectors may close it.]
Dozens of people came out to skate on the synthetic ice every day, dropping donations into an imitation Stanley Cup. For Kohn, 51, the 2,100-square-foot rink reminded him of skating on backyard ponds while growing up near Boston. He hoped to give skating lessons to help recoup the building costs, which totaled about $40,000.Dozens of people came out to skate on the synthetic ice every day, dropping donations into an imitation Stanley Cup. For Kohn, 51, the 2,100-square-foot rink reminded him of skating on backyard ponds while growing up near Boston. He hoped to give skating lessons to help recoup the building costs, which totaled about $40,000.
But county officials quickly put Kohn in the penalty box.But county officials quickly put Kohn in the penalty box.
Kohn’s rented house is in the agricultural reserve, which allows homes but isn’t zoned for public uses. Kohn was issued a violation, prompting news stories that spread the dispute around the country on social media. Some called the county a “nanny state.” Others said rules are rules — even for do-gooders.Kohn’s rented house is in the agricultural reserve, which allows homes but isn’t zoned for public uses. Kohn was issued a violation, prompting news stories that spread the dispute around the country on social media. Some called the county a “nanny state.” Others said rules are rules — even for do-gooders.
County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) urged his staff to find a solution. Officials offered to help move the rink, but Kohn rejected overtures, saying, “Don’t tell me I need to move my rink in order to appease the county.” He started a GoFundme drive to fight the county, with a pair of lawyers working pro bono to help. County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) urged his staff to find a solution. Officials offered to help move the rink, but Kohn rejected overtures, saying, “Don’t tell me I need to move my rink in order to appease the county.” He started a GoFundMe page to fight the county, with a pair of lawyers working pro bono to help.
But a few days later, Kohn sent County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) a letter saying he was willing to work on a solution. He said it was not his original intention to make the rink a public destination, though he had set up a Facebook page advertising it that way. But a few days later, Kohn sent Leggett a letter saying he was willing to work on a solution. He said it was not his original intention to make the rink a public destination, though he had set up a Facebook page advertising it that way.
[Owner of backyard ice rink now willing to work with Montgomery County][Owner of backyard ice rink now willing to work with Montgomery County]
After several meetings with county and town officials, a deal emerged giving everyone what they wanted. Poolesville residents get a rink of their own — possibly named after Mel. Kohn can keep his rink for personal use, much like a backyard pool. And Leggett gets his solution. After several meetings with county and town officials, a deal emerged giving everyone what they wanted. Poolesville residents get a rink of their own — possibly named after Mel. Kohn can keep his rink for personal use, similar to a backyard pool. And Leggett gets his solution.
The county is now working with Poolesville officials to find a location, which is tricky because so much of the area is in the agricultural reserve. If a spot can’t be found in the town, Albornoz said the rink will be built somewhere nearby.The county is now working with Poolesville officials to find a location, which is tricky because so much of the area is in the agricultural reserve. If a spot can’t be found in the town, Albornoz said the rink will be built somewhere nearby.
Albornoz said Leggett supports the idea of naming the new rink after Kohn’s daughter, but that will be discussed with town officials and residents. Albornoz said Leggett supports the idea of naming the new rink after Kohn’s daughter, but it will be discussed with town officials and residents.
Kohn raised $5,600 in his GoFundMe campaign, which he said he spent on equipment for Mel’s Rink, including a commercial pressure washer, hockey sticks, and a skate sharpener, all of which he said could be used at the new rink. Kohn raised $5,600 in his GoFundMe campaign, which he said he spent on equipment for Mel’s Rink, including a commercial pressure washer, hockey sticks and a skate sharpener, all of which he said could be used at the new rink.
A former Discovery Communications production editor, Kohn has been using Mel’s Rink to test hockey training equipment that he is developing and hopes to license to sporting goods companies. A former Discovery Communications production editor, Kohn has been using Mel’s Rink to test hockey training equipment that he is developing and hopes to license it to sporting goods ­companies.
He says he’s also training for a Senior Olympics hockey tournament. He said he is also training for a Senior Olympics hockey tournament.
“I’ve been skating out there every day," he said. “I’ve been skating out there every day,” he said.