Costa Mesa will pursue skate park

Lolita Harper

A budding community activist learned his first lesson in local

politics Monday as the City Council endorsed a preliminary plan for a

skate park at Davis Elementary: The wheels of bureaucracy move much

slower than those on a board.

The City Council unanimously approved a resolution that would

partner it with the Newport-Mesa Unified School District to pursue a

largely demanded skate park at the elementary school at 1050

Arlington Drive.

Mayor Linda Dixon said a previous attempt by school board trustees

to team with Newport Beach for a skating venue sparked the new

partnership.

“I was extremely upset that Newport Beach might have a skate park

before Costa Mesa,” said Dixon, adding that she almost immediately

called trustee Jim Ferryman.

Skateboarder and young activist Roger Cetina said he was glad an

effort was being made, but was confused on why it was taking so long

to create something that was in high demand. Cetina said he had met

older boarders who had started fighting for the same thing 10 years

ago.

“That was, like, a really long time ago,” the 14-year-old said.

Now, Cetina said he is taking over where his predecessor left off.

The government process proved a little confusing for Cetina, who said

he didn’t understand why city officials kept saying it was a good

idea, but then warned that it was preliminary.

City leaders were optimistic about the possibilities of a park at

the elementary site but assured all residents that any and all plans

would be brought to the community for input.

City Manager Allan Roeder said he recognized the tremendous

interest in a skateboard park but warned the process required due

care.

“We want to ensure strong community and neighborhood participation

from day one,” Roeder said.

Jim Gray, a former professional skateboarder and arguably the

father of the pro-skate park movement in Costa Mesa, congratulated

the council for once again pursuing a park but warned of making empty

promises.

Last year, Costa Mesa council members halted plans for a

skateboard park at the corner of Charle and Hamilton streets as the

plans reached their final design stages. The site was dropped by a 3

to 2 vote, with Dixon and Councilwoman Libby Cowan dissenting.

Gray said he really hoped the Davis idea would be taken seriously

and offered any support he could offer.

“We’re waiting but cautiously concerned because we’ve seen this

before,” Gray said.

But this time Cetina is on the case.

The young activist said he is determined to show the community

that skateboarders can be respectful to city property if they are

given a legal place to practice their passion.

“We’re going to be good role models for [the younger kids] and we

don’t want them to see us grinding down school rails,” Cetina said,

adding that a skate park would reduce danger and damage caused by

skating in inappropriate venues.

Cetina said he got involved with the skate park movement when the

recreation department began to host various forums to address the

needs of an active community this summer and said he has no intention

of letting up any time soon.

“If dogs can have a park, why can’t we?” he pointed out.

Gray reminded him that it would take some time and the

skateboarding community would have to keep hounding city officials.

Cetina’s mother, who brought him to the council meeting, called to

her son, who was busy talking politics in the City Hall parking lot.

“I’ll be the first one to stand up and speak out against a skate

park if you don’t get in this car so you can do your homework,” his

mother said with a smile.

“See ya later,” Cetina said over his shoulder as he rushed to the

car.

And he meant it.

* LOLITA HARPER covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at lolita.harper@latimes.com.