Refreshment sponsors include Phillips Vending Systems, Coca Cola and Jamba Juice.The park was designed by well-known landscape architectural firm Purkiss-Rose with help from professional skater Frank Hirata. Channel Islands Paving of Camarillo is building the city-owned and-operated park.The city has provided $342,000 toward the park cost through state park bonds and federal grants. SPAS has raised another $35,000 through various fundraisers, including its popular flamingos.Although called a Grand Opening, the park is not really finished, said Eastlake.“Several pieces, including the surrounding wrought iron fence, will not be in place Saturday. SPAS was eager to get the park open ASAP so locals would have as much summer skating time as possible.”SPAS is also still raising money to pay for the plaza area, an interface between the skate park and the rest of the long-established park where spectators will sit.SPAS will be accepting donations on Saturday, or check out their Website at www.spskaters.com for ways to donate to this project that not only provides recreation to youth but also enhances the city to visitors.Eastlake said that skaters should check in at the SPAS booth to getwristbands good for door prizes and park entrance.Waivers are not required, but helmets, elbow and knee pads are required to skate. Admission is free.
Skatepark grand opening Saturday
August 04, 2004
Santa Paula News
Although there was some initial doubt that the highly anticipated Grand Opening of city’s new skatepark might not come off as soon as planned, Saturday remains the day to roll, according to a co-founder of SPAS (Santa Paula Skaters Association).
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesAlthough there was some initial doubt that the highly anticipated Grand Opening of city’s new skatepark might not come off as soon as planned, Saturday remains the day to roll, according to a co-founder of SPAS (Santa Paula Skaters Association).“The place to be this Saturday for any fun-loving, skateboarding youth is Santa Paula,” where the group that lobbied for the skatepark celebrates it becoming a reality, said Marisue Eastlake.The Grand Opening will be held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 7 at the skatepark, located at Veterans Memorial Park. Members of the City Council and other city staff will also attend the grand opening of the park, built with grants and donations.“It’s been four years since the Santa Paula Association of Skaters began its quest for a place for Santa Paula’s youth to skate,” noted Eastlake who with Laura Phillips led the effort to create the park, which included area skaters helping in its design.The result is a 12,000+ square foot park with both street and tranny features and something for every ability level. The 10-stair and kidney bowl should challenge the more experienced skater, Eastlake noted, but the park also has low ledges and stairs to slide and jump, rails and a kicker with shorter ramps.With all the hard work leading up to the park’s construction, SPAS leaders felt a big party was in order to commemorate its near completion. Festivities will include seven bands that have signed on to help mark the occasion, including Soundtrack To Your Madness, Ritual Havoc, Pinion, The Goode Times, The Snake, the Cross and theCrown, Steve McQueen and the Bullitts, and The Return.There will be refreshments, lots of giveaways and door prizes, and several skate companies on hand with their products.Skate demo teams from Five Points, Kronk and Skate Street are expected to attend. The latter two will be joined by RXS, a Santa Paula skateshop, as event vendors. Door prizes and giveaway sponsors include RXS, Dakine, Five Points, Skate Street, Levitate and Powell.