Martin Hernandez, representing Supervisor Kathy Long, presented Eastlake and Phillips with a proclamation and noted that “it’s an honor as a Santa Paula resident to see the manifestation of a dream come true. . .when you kids see this you’ll know that because of you this dream became a reality.”Hernandez ended his remarks with “Skate on!”Skate on the kids did: SPAS was allowed first use followed by dozens of skaters including several notable board jockeys.The skatepark has both street and tranny features and something for every ability level including the 10-stair and kidney bowl for the more experienced skater. The park also has low ledges and stairs to slide and jump, rails and a kicker with shorter ramps.Festivities included seven bands, skate demo teams, refreshments, lots of giveaways and door prizes, and several skate companies on hand with their products.The city 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. The park will be closed while it is completed.SPAS is also still raising money and accepting donations to pay for the plaza area, an interface between the skate park and the rest of the long-established park where spectators will sit. The group’s Website is www.spskaters.com
|
A Santa Paula Skater was one of the first to test out the new Santa Paula Skatepark. Photo by Don Johnson |
Santa Paula Skatepark opens
August 11, 2004
Skatepark grand opening draws all day crowds
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula TimesIf Saturday’s grand opening of the city’s new skatepark is any indication it’s going to be a very, very busy place.Hundreds of people attended the dedication and ribbon-cutting of the park, a 12,000 square foot plus area carved out of Veterans Memorial Park and containing almost every feature a skater could want.Marisue Eastlake and Laura Phillips, mothers of skaters who spearheaded the effort to create a park and co-founded SPAS (Santa Paula Association of Skaters) welcomed the crowd.“Four years and almost $400,000 means a lot of people to thank,” noted Eastlake.The park was built with a state recreation grant, Community Development Block Grant funds and donations. “We didn’t believe this would happen but we never gave up,” said Phillips, who noted the long list of park supporters.“It’s a beautiful day to go skating and break in Ventura County’s nicest skatepark,” an effort started by the previous council including advocates Laura Flores Espinosa and Don Johnson, said Mayor Gabino Aguirre.Aguirre noted another strong supporter, Councilman Ray Luna.Vice Mayor Mary Ann Krause and Councilman Rick Cook both noted that skaters have the responsibility to keep the park clean and graffiti free and Cook noted the efforts of city staff to create the park.“When we were on the council and this was voted in, Don Johnson said he wanted this park built in his lifetime,” said Councilman John Procter, who also credited Mike Caulfield for the initial petition presented to the council asking for a skatepark and the dedication of the SPAS youth members.
