Study finds demand for skate park

Susan McCormack

COSTA MESA -- Findings from a recent Lions Park Assn. survey of almost

1,500 students show there is “sufficient demand” to construct up to three

new skateboard parks.

“We’re very hopeful that the city will consider this information,” said

Bill Turpit, an association leader.

Turpit said his group may discuss the study’s results, which were given

to the City Council this week, during the public session at Monday’s

council meeting.

The association said it received back 1,484 out of 4,675 surveys it

delivered to four local schools: Costa Mesa, Estancia and Newport Harbor

high schools and Ensign Intermediate School.

Association members recommended that two parks be built in Costa Mesa,

one on city and one on school property; and a third skatepark be built in

Newport Beach on school property. Fairview, TeWinkle, Civic Center and

Shiffer parks, in that order, were suggested as sites for the city

skatepark.

Mayor Gary Monahan said he was not surprised the study did not recommend

a skateboard layout at Lions Park. During the last year, the association

has adamantly opposed a council decision to build a skateboard facility

there.

“It’s a not-in-my backyard proposal,” Monahan said, adding that Lions

Park is not out of the question as a site.

Also, contrary to the City Council’s plans, the study said that such a

park should be 8,000 square feet, not 10,000 square feet as planned,

because it should focus on the intermediate skilled skater and doesn’t

have to be large enough to “be all things to all levels of skaters.”

The study suggested the size of the park should “discourage the more

advanced skateboarders from commuting to Costa Mesa.”

As part of the study, students were canvassed regarding their opinions on

where the parks should be and what features they should have.

A majority of respondents said they would prefer a skateboard park that

was closer to their school than their homes. However, younger students

said they wanted a park closer to home so they could skateboard to it.

Rails, ramps, steps and half pipes were most often mentioned as important

features in a skateboard park.