Skateboarders Need Right Spot for Park

On Dec. 8, the Times wrote an informative article about the Laguna Beach City Council directing the study of a skateboard park at our Main Beach Park or Heisler Park. While I personally oppose these locations, I do support the immediate creation of a skateboard park.

The City Council should support the recommendation of its Recreation Committee that surveyed all possible sites in town and determined that one of the tennis courts at the Festival of Arts grounds should be converted into a skateboard park. Currently, we have no skateboard park in our city for our youth. Skateboarding is a wholesome and fun activity, and we need to provide such opportunities for the youth in Laguna Beach. Tragically, our city just experienced two young men’s death from heroin. This case reinforces the fact that we must place greater value and emphasis on the rearing of our children and should realize it should be among the most important endeavors in our lives.

We have public tennis courts at Alta Laguna Park, Bluebird Park, Mouton Meadows Park, Thurston Middle School, and Laguna Beach High. If the committee’s recommendation is followed, there would still be one tennis court remaining at the Festival of Arts grounds. It is always tough to give up anything, but certainly, relinquishing one tennis court for the youth of Laguna Beach is not too much to ask. The needs of many of our youth should outweigh the inconvenience of a few. After all, the festival grounds’ tennis courts are a public resource that should be used for the greater public good.

Main Beach Park and Heisler Park are key tourist attractions that add to the economic vitality of Laguna Beach while at the same time add to the quality of life of all residents. A skateboard park would not be appropriate at either site.

The City Council members should support their Recreation Committee, and immediately provide a skateboard park for Laguna Beach youth at the festival grounds location.

JOHANNA FELDER

Laguna Beach