HomeMy WebLinkAbout0166.091Marcb 7, lSi 91
THE HOI/ORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Palo Alto, California
~ Park Skateboard Facility
Members of the Council:
Report in Btin
This is an informational report concerning the skateboard facility
which is nov open as part of Phase III at Greer Park~ No Council
action is required.
Discussion
Once the skateboard park was completed 1n early January, it became
di.ff'icult to secure the area :from unauthorized usaqe as
ska.teboarders were eaqer to try out the new facility. The
contractor installed an additional fence around the ~acility and
the path leading to it; and on January 18, 1991 1 th~ skateboard
park unofficially opened. The fence aliows the skateboarders to
skate, protects the newly planted vegetation and permits t.he
contractor to continue work ~ithout eT~anqerinq the skateboarders.
Since the skateboard facility bas been open, several concerns have
been voiced from the neiqhbors t police, city Council Members and
users ..
The IDa j or concerns are:
1. consumption of alcot-,ol in and around the skateboard park.
2~ Litter and trash around the skatp~ard facility and the
parle.
3. Graffiti in the skateboard bowl, on park signage and in
surroundinq areas of the park.
4. Increased s~ateboarding in the neighborhood, especially
on private property.
5. Use of the skat~ard facility early in the morning and
at night after the park is closed.
Recreation staff has held two meetings 1 February 11 and February
1S t with Palo Alto skateboarders. Those ~ho attended the meetings
were the same people who encouraged the building of the facility
originally, and they range in age from early twenties to freshmen
in high school. The goal is to put together a committee of Palo
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March 7, 1991
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Alto skateboarders who would be role models and provide le~dership
tor the skateboard:'nq community to-address the concerns listed
a.bove. The. skateboarders are very proud to have the park,. and. they
report that it 1s the best facility in Northern california. Tney
are anxious to ~ork with the City to keep the skateboard racility
op4!n and want to take responsibility for helpi.ng to address
conce.rns !'elated to the skate bowl. They are very appreciative of
the oppcrtunity to 'Work with the City.
At th~ first maeting, thE skaters observed that the City has three
options: l} leaving the skateboard facility open as it is now;
2) supervising the facility {most are not in favor of this option,
althouqh some of the skaters felt that this option might hest
satisfy the residents of Palo Alto) r 3) closi~ the facility and
.aJcing it a ·sandbox.· The skaters are suggesting a public
awareness campaign, letting skateboarders know that everyone wants
the facility to stay open, but in order to keep it open l there are
certain ~esponsibilities that skateboarders must assume.
Tbe skaters are working with Recreation staff to develop a Palo
Alto skatin9 pamphlet~ This pamphlet would be passed out at the
park to skaters and would principally contain the follo~inq rules:
don-t litter: skateboards only (no roller blades, dirt bikes): keep
qraffiti inside the bowl area; no alcohol or drugs; no alcohol
while skatinq; observe park openinq and closing rules. The
paillphlet would also contain a short history of the skateboard park ..
who~ to contact to express an opinion an~ the advice that it is up
to the skaters to keep the park open.
Skaters are also considerinq recommending:
1~ ?osting siqnaqe ~bout skateboard park rules.
2. Requesting Council to pass an ordinance prohibiting
drinking in the skateboard facility.. They do :lot wish to
skate with skateboarders Who have been drinkinq.
3. Ch.anqing park: clOSing hours to 9: 00 pm at the latest, and
opening the park at 8: 00 am.
4. Assignir..q a park ranger on patrol in the park over "'l'lTinq
vacation to communicate rules to skateboarders. -.
5.. posting II sign letting people know that Saturdays will be
reserved for kids under 14 to skate from 9:00 -11:00 am.
Other suggestions being pursued as a result of the meetinqs are:
classes for skateboardinq run by Recreation; demonstrations by
master skateboarders; litter pick-up days: a graffiti painting
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party; fonaing a skateboard club: and developi7l9 a way for
residente to communicate concerns to skateboarders about potential
problems ..
To date, all skat~rs that staff has talted to would like to see the
skateboard facility remain. Many other communities are watchinq to
see bow Palo Alto operates the park: and ~hen it is a successful
operation, other cities may build their CW~ parks, reducing the
stress on Palo Alto's facility.
Staff will return to council within the next few 'Weeks with
reooamendations regarding the SkateboarQ Facility at Greer Park.
When the recommendations are aqendiz:ea., the ska'ters will be present
to speak to the Council about Council concerns~
Respectfully submitted,
Anne Cribbs
Recreation Superintendent
~~Q--
pa:1 Thi1tgen
Director of Comm~nity services
J e Fl"",I:?-sistan~ager
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