“We need to look into some kind of permanent facility,” said Johnson, although finding a location for the noisy sport will be “real difficult. . .we should send this to the Recreation Commission, that’s what they’re there for. They should review the whole thing,” including liability issues, costs and location, for a park to be “open from sunup to sundown.”Councilwoman Laura Flores Espinosa said there are several location options, including indoors. A private enterprise might be interested in creating a park as well, she added.Mayor Rick Cook said a central location should be explored and Councilman Jim Garfield said emphasis should be put on education. “We have to educate the kids, warn them to stay off,” property that represents a danger to them and a liability to the property owner.
City Council: Recreation Commission to study skateboard park
August 30, 2000
Santa Paula City Council
The Santa Paula Recreation Commission has been charged by the City Council to investigate the feasibility of the city creating a skateboard/inline skates park. The council made the decision at the Aug. 21 meeting based on a citizen’s effort that garnered about 600 signatures of city residents who feel such a park is needed.
Michael Caulfield had appeared at the council meeting of Aug. 7 to ask that the city explore the possibility of such a park.Recreation Supervisor Ed Mount gave a brief history of the department’s past efforts on behalf of wheelers who created their own ramps for use in the back building at the Community Center.The “grassroots” effort grew and the Optimist Club helped by donating materials crafted into additional equipment.In fact, skating sports were incorporated into the city’s Neighborhood Olympics which drew about 25 participants and over 150 spectators, noted Mount, and skaters were offered field trips to other skate parks.Due to water treatment plant construction the building used by skaters was no longer available and operations were moved to Teague Park; now, said Mount, a storage area must be found for skate ramps and other equipment while a move back to the Community Center area is planned.Vice Mayor Don Johnson said such efforts are “not solving the problems. . .” as he has observed large groups of skaters at Fire Station 2.
