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Locked gates have been a constant at the Culver City Skate Park.
(Photo: Luiz Calado)
The Culver City Skate Park has been closed – once again.
As previously reported by this column, this is not the first time the facility is locked up for extended periods of time – and, likely, it will not be the last.
At the time of this last closure, a sign posted outside stated:
"… Fence replacement project, P-830 […] Skate park closed due to construction - Date of closure: July 28, 2009 – Scheduled date of re-open: August 31, 2009…”
Many in the local skateboarding community are aware that the replacement is not due to a defect with the current fence but rather an outcome of reported break-ins during hours when the park is closed.
And, while in the subject of hours of operation, it appears that they have changed – radically, to say the least. Back when it was opened in October 2007, the area was to operate from dusk till dawn (there is no night lighting). However, a new sign posted says the hours now are: Monday-Friday (12PM-7PM), Sat-Sun, (9:30AM-4:30PM).
The new posted hours of the CCSP.
(Photo: Luiz Calado)
Whether these new hours are a result of administration logistics or lack of familiarity with the sport (those who skateboard know what is like to do it during peak hours of the SoCal weather), enforcing the regulations at the skate park has been a predicament.
The supervision of the facility is divided in between the Culver City Police Department and the Park Patrol; while the first is entitled to give out citations to skaters that don’t wear the mandatory safety gear (fines start at $100 and reach as high as $500 for repeating offenders), the latter is staffed in a part-time basis only.
According to Bill La Pointe, Director of Culver City Parks, Recreation and Community Services, a local park monitor has been relocated to the area surrounding the skate park and should be able to observe the obedience of the rules without the need to lock the compliant skaters out repeatedly.
La Pointe also said that, in the past, the existing chain link fence has been vandalized with bolt cutters and, consequently, it will be replaced with wrought iron fencing.
The sad news is that the park is not re-opening today as expected. Last week, a second poster was plastered over the old one and says:
"… Fence replacement project, P-830 […] Skate park closed due to construction - Date of closure: Thursday, August 27, 2009 – Date to re-open: Monday, September 21, 2009…”
A new sign (left), taped over the old one, advises of the new re-opening date – the closure will last almost two months.
(Photo: Luiz Calado)
This latest sign is categorically wrong, since the park was first closed since late July and such discrepancy raises the concern about the viability of the new opening date.
La Pointe explained that the contractor, Bobco Metals, has so far stripped the old paint from existing poles but did not deliver the correct panels for the new fence and needs to modify them according to original plans, hence the new tentative re-opening date.
According to Sammy Romo, Project Manager at the Culver City Department of Public Works, the price tag for the project is $60,000.
A representative of Bobco Metals could not be reached to comment.
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Comments
It's such a tragedy that they keep closing this park. I used to go there all the time and at any given time there would 50 - 100, 150 kids skateboarding - having fun, socializing, exercising. Engaging in an activity that challenges them physically and mentally - and builds self esteem along the way.
I never saw 1 fight or any drug use the entire time I was there, and this is without adult supervision. There isn't even any spray paint.
Now where are these kids? Guess where? On the streets, where more dangerous stuff happens, and where they're more likely to skate in places where people (building owners etc) might not want them to skate..
The whole thing is ridiculous
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