Teens Bring Colton City’s First Skate Park

The sound of skateboard wheels hitting pavement commenced in no time last Thursday, Oct. 24, following the ribbon cutting ceremony for Colton’s newest attraction: a skate park. Over 30 teens, under the direction of the Colton Community Services Department, converted the old tennis courts at César Chávez Park into a skate park, with the intent of reaching out to the city’s younger population. City leaders, commissioners and community members—most of them young skaters eager to try out the park—gathered by the hundreds last Thursday evening to open the park officially. Community Services Director Bill Smith said the project was a long time coming—it had been in the works since August 2007. “They primarily designed and planned the park, along with the help of a couple of consultants,” said Smith. The park was built with the help of City of Industry-based Spohn Ranch Skateparks, who Smith shared has also committed to helping the city maintain the skate park. He shared the group met a few road bumps along the way, mostly in the way of identifying funds to complete the park. “We were rejected for multiple grants,” said Smith. “The way the economy took a downturn, we were only recently able to identify funding.” The project budget approved by the City Council was $50,000, which came from Park Development funds, shared Smith. Smith admitted, “The time it took to get the project completed was frustrating, but the Recreation and Parks Commission always kept the project high on their list and the Council was able to find a budget for us.” The park is open daily from dawn until dusk, and is free to use. It is the size of a tennis court, and includes grind ledges, Hubble ledges, ramps and rails. Community members and city officials alike commended the actions of the Community Services Department to bring the skate park to the city’s youth. Cynthia Ramirez, an active community member, said, “The city is moving in a very good direction. It’s nice they’re looking at the community as a whole. They have the senior center going in, but now with the skate park, they’re taking care of our youth at the same time.” City Clerk Eileen Gomez agreed the skate park is a reminder to Colton’s younger generations that the city is reaching out to them as well. She also commented that she felt it was an opportunity for the city’s youth to practice camaraderie. “While I was out there I saw some of the older boys helping the younger boys out on the ramps,” said Gomez. “It brings a community feel back. Some kids are from all different walks of life, and they feel like this project is for them. That makes them feel good; they know they’re not forgotten.” “The teens were great to work with,” Smith added. “They expressed an interest in a skate park back then, so it was great to deliver something to the city you know the teens will like. I mean, this is literally their park.” Smith said since its opening, the park has seen heavy traffic; he foresees the park continuing to receive heavy usage in the future. Chávez Park is located at 601 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. in Colton.