Skateboarders Flip Over New Ventura Park

VENTURA —  It was built as a promise to local skateboarders, who for years have been chased from one public staircase or downtown sidewalk to the next.

Problem was, as “No Skateboarding” signs peppered the city, officials didn’t give skaters an alternative.

Until Friday, when city officials unveiled the first of three mini skateboard parks set to open across the city within the next month.

And by the size of the turnout at Westpark in the Ventura Avenue neighborhood--about 75 kids--this is one of the most popular decisions to come out of City Hall in a long while.

“It’s all we’re going to be able to do to keep from getting run over out here,” City Councilman Sandy Smith said as skater after skater whizzed by on the park’s new cement surface.

“It’s obvious it’s something that’s needed,” Smith said, “and we need to do a lot more for kids to give them something to do and somewhere to go.”

The circular, bowl-like park is about 65 feet in diameter and 3 1/2-feet deep, with curbs and mounds to simulate skaters’ favorite spots on city streets and in parking lots.

Two similarly sized parks are set to open at Pacific High School in midtown and Hobart Park in east Ventura later this month.

“We used to have nowhere to skate, so we had to use people’s front lawns and parking structures and stuff,” said 14-year-old Joey Marasa. “This is great, especially when it’s free and you don’t have to pay to get in.”

In the planning for three years, the three parks were built for $120,000.

Rather than constructing one large skateboard park, city leaders chose to build three small parks.

The idea was to spread parks across the city so kids citywide could easily reach them on their bicycles or by public bus.

City officials said they were careful not to spend money building parks skaters would not use, with the designs drawn in part by skateboarders under the direction of the late architect Ken Wormhoudt of Santa Cruz.

Wormhoudt, who in August died of pancreatic cancer, held a workshop where skateboarders molded their dream parks out of clay. He then incorporated those ideas into his final designs.

“It’s about time,” said Dee Peterson, who watched as her 13-year old son, Tye enjoyed the park’s steep bowls. “It’s hard to find things that are inexpensive. The most they need is money for something to drink and they can just come down here.”

A number of city officials and politicians came to Westpark for the grand opening Friday, proud to see their goal become a reality and marveling at the skaters’ skills.

“I’m not only amazed by what they can do but how many of them can do it without crashing into each other,” city Public Works Director Ron Calkins said.

Skaters said while the park won’t keep all kids from skating on city streets, parking lots and the new downtown parking garage, it will keep a lot of them out of those banned areas.

And while Westpark was officially opened Friday, many skaters have been skating there for days.

By all accounts, the place is pretty cool.

“I’ve been here every night for a week,” said David Blanchard, 14.