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.
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