Capitola Public Skate Park

Capitola Skatepark meeting Jan 26 th

2012-01-27T04:32:00.000-08:00

Capitola votes to send skate park back to designer

CAPITOLA - More than 40 people spoke Thursday night before the City Council including neighbors, skateboarders and parents on the proposed skate park.

But every member of the City Council had a different view on what the park should look like.

City Councilman Kirby Nicol proposed to send the project back to the drawing board, design it for pre-teens, with a size that is 6,000 square feet instead of the proposed 9,000 and features that are less noisy.

Councilman Dennis Norton argued for a 7,000-square-foot park, but Nicol would not accept an amendment.

"I'm not going to support the motion," City Councilman Sam Storey said, prompting applause.

The council voted 3-2 to send it back. Harlan and Storey opposed it.

"The story isn't written," said Termini. "We're waiting to hear from the skater community."

After the vote, Tricia Proctor, a mother of two kids who skateboard, said, "I'm not disappointed. I'm happy to have the support of the council. I do think the smaller size will be a bit harder to raise money for."

Her son Zac, 12, said, "It could have been bigger, but 6,000 square feet is still enough."

Evan Bomango, 10, was happy the city picked Monterey Park.

"I think it's really good for my neighborhood," he said.

After the vote, Capitola resident Gerald Weizenbach, 49, said he wished the council would go for a small kiddie skate park at Monterey Park and something for advanced skaters on McGregor.

"I love board sports," he said.

Capitola Skate Park is live

2012-01-24T19:34:00.001-08:00

Capitola Skate Park is live. There might be a few 2011 shirts left which are soon to be collectables. The next run will be 2012.

Thank you everyone for your support.

Come to tomorrow's Capitola City Council Meeting at 420 Capitola Avenue 7:00 pm

Donate
The donations can be sent to:

City of Capitola
Attn: Capitola Skate Park
420 Capitola Avenue
Capitola CA 95010

Checks should be written out to the City of Capitola with Capitola Skatepark in the memo

The city will issue receipts so that the donations will be tax deductible.

Capitola Skate Park T-shirt art by Jimbo Phillips

2011-11-28T20:29:00.000-08:00

Available at the Santa Cruz Boardroom. All proceeds go to the Capitola Skate Park. Website in progress via Chris. I did a rough layout. Got permission to recreate the Capitola Classic font for use. Thanks to Dave Freil for printing the shirts. Thanks NHS and Mr. Novak.
825 41st Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 464-2500

Jimbo Phillips Thanks for your awesome artwork.

Great article about the first fundraiser at the World Championships of S.K.A.T.E.

Capitola eyes 9,000 square foot skate park at Monterey Park

New Capitola Skateboard Rules start in 30 days

2011-08-13T06:03:00.000-07:00

Capitola expands 'No Skateboarding Zone'
CAPITOLA -- The city's skateboard regulations have been clarified and its "no skateboarding zone" expanded in an effort to increase public safety after a fatal accident in July.

On July 5, a 17-year-old was skating downhill on Cliff Drive toward the Stockton Avenue Bridge as a box truck was stopped at a crosswalk for village resident Maryann Slettehaugh, who was walking toward the ocean. The skateboarder saw Slettehaugh at the last moment and leaped from his skateboard, but collided with her and knocked her to the ground. She was transported to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center but died later that day.

The City Council unanimously voted Thursday to implement new skating rules. Mayor Dennis Norton also said that the city is actively pursuing plans for a skate park to give skaters a sanctioned place to go.

"We restricted areas in the village for safety purposes," Norton said. "But it's important to note that skateboards are used for transportation and recreation. We need to provide an opportunity for kids to skate safely, and we are looking to put a skate park in Capitola that is geared toward younger skaters."

Norton said the city is working with a private donor to secure funding for a skate park.

Here are the revised Capitola skateboarding regulations:

No skateboarding is allowed in the village and Esplanade Park.
Skateboarding is prohibited in Perry Park, on the Rispin property and on the path that connects the two.

Skateboarding is prohibited in the Pacific Cove parking lot and mobile home park.

The ordinance language was clarified to facilitate enforcement and education.

Additional signs will be added in the village area to demarcate where skateboarding is prohibited.

The regulations also stipulate that skateboarders must yield to pedestrians and observe traffic laws such as yielding to vehicles when entering a roadway and obeying stop signs and red lights.

"It sounds like a step in the right direction," said George Slettehaugh, Maryann's husband. "Whether it will help or not, I really don't know. It depends on whether they enforce it or not. At least it sounds like they're trying to do something. It won't do anything for my wife, but maybe for someone else."

Zane Keith, 18, a Capitola resident who skates every day for both transportation and recreation, said he sees the logic in preventing skaters from doing tricks in the village, but added that they should be allowed to pass through the village just like bicyclists.

"A skate park would definitely help," Keith said. "I like going to the parks because it's easy and you don't get hassled, but there will always be some skateboarders who will want to be out in the streets finding new spots."

Police Chief Mike Card said officers are already engaged in community outreach.

"The response from council gave good direction to our staff in order to create a zone of enforcement and allow our officers to have clear direction as to how they want to approach both education and enforcement," Card said.

Card said typically officers will give skateboarders a warning for the first offense. Repeat offenders may receive a $103 citation and have their skateboards confiscated. If an offender is a minor, the police may contact his parents.

CAPITOLA'S REVISED SKATEBOARDING ORDINANCE
The City Council has approved new regulations regarding skateboarding. The ordinance has been simplified for ease of enforcement and the village 'no skateboarding zone' has been expanded to include sections of Wharf Road, Cliff Drive and Monterey Avenue that feed into the village.
The ordinance must be approved again by the council in a second reading on Aug. 25. The new regulations will take effect 30 days after the second reading.

Capitola Skatepark meeting

2011-05-05T06:33:00.000-07:00

Capitola Skatepark meeting last night. http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_17996895
Wasn't able to go personally so thank you to all of you that went.

Capitola Skate Park Meeting March 3 at the Santa Cruz Boardroom

2011-02-27T06:01:00.000-08:00

Capitola Skate Park Meeting March 3rd at the Santa Cruz Boardroom 7:00 pm
Santa Cruz Boardroom

825 41st Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 464-2500
Boardroom Flickr
Locals for a Capitola Skate Park | Facebook

Capitola's four-wheeled future: New push for skate park emerges
Todays Sentinel Article

Best chance for a Skateboard Park! Vote Nov. 4

2008-10-24T05:34:00.000-07:00

If you vote and live in Capitola vote for Mike Termini and Dennis Norton for Capitola City Council. They believe in the future of Capitola. Both want a skateboard park and to bring back the Capitola Classic event. Both are backed by the Sierra Club and want to plan for the future of Tola. Unlike the current mayor who is a skater hater, Tiki hater and pro development.

The Capitola Skate Park what next?

2007-05-18T05:53:00.000-07:00

City is Looking for Private Donations

Capitola does not want to pay for the construction of a park, and would like private sponsorship. So far the developer who built the Hilton in Scotts Valley has offered to help pay for a park, if a hotel can be placed next door. Catch 22. Hotel, Park, Hotel, Park...

Soquel Skate Area at Least Two Years Away

As Capitola struggles to find a suitable spot for a skate park, plans to build a facility in Soquel are slowly moving forward. Santa Cruz County has set aside part of the planned park at the Farm housing project location for a 3,500-square-foot skate area.

"We have a master plan that's been approved by the Board of Supervisors," said Betsey Lynberg, who heads up the County's Redevelopment Agency.

The skate feature came in response to community feedback.

"We held a series of meetings to talk about the kind of neighborhood park facilities the community would like to see," she said, emphasizing that the whole parcel is not a skate park.

Local Santa Cruz Skateboarders

2007-05-13T15:14:00.000-07:00

Amazing talented kids! You rocked yesterday.

The Capitola Skate Park saga continues

2007-05-12T05:35:00.000-07:00

Today's Sentinel Article "Capitola vice mayor stands by skate remark" . At the last meeting I said my name and that I'm a SKATEBOARDER. I wanted to speak for all the kids that were at the original skate park meeting Feb. 22, 2007 and I hoped the skate park would remain on the agenda. The Major said it is still on the radar.

Today I will be teaching 18 local skateboarders ages 8-13 years old how to slalom skateboard. It's hard to imagine a vice major of a beach community not liking them because the are skateboarders. Skateboarders can vote and choose where to spend their money.

Capitola Skate Park is NOT dead

2007-05-11T05:43:00.000-07:00

Not many skaters at last nights meeting. Clarkie and myself spoke and asked that the skate park stay on the agenda. The major says it is. Birdo, Victor and Mrs. Arthur were there as well. We met some of the people from The Friends of Nobel Gulch. They support skaters and skate parks but just not at that location. We all agreed that it wasn't a good site for a park. We need to organize and fund raise like they did in Scotts Valley. I'll keep you posted on the park and the Capitola Classic.

Capitola City Council Meeting Tonight

2007-05-10T05:58:00.000-07:00

If you can make it please go. Be polite and speak up the last meeting had NO skaters and they killed the park completely. Let the city know skaters are kids, parents, mom's, and dad's.

7:00pm - 10:00pm Thursday May 10 th

City Council Chambers
420 Capitola Ave
Capitola

Capitola Skate Park no apology to skaters

2007-05-05T05:46:00.000-07:00

Here is today's new's regarding the Capitola Skate Park. The next Capitola City Council meeting is coming up. If you can make it go. Let the city know skaters are not all punks like Mr. Nichol thinks. Be polite and speak up so this park doesn't die.

Thanks for the nice comments, phone calls and emails.

No Skate Park in Capitola

2007-05-02T06:12:00.001-07:00

New article in the Sentinel yesterday about the skatepark or lack of skatepark in Capitola. "I don't like skateboarders, and I don't like skateboard parks," said Councilman Kirby Nicol before he proposed scrapping the entire idea. Great. Now where do the kids get to go. Luckily Soquel is building a park at the new Farm Location.
I think Aptos will be next.

Capitola Skatepark NIMBY all over again

2007-03-14T05:02:00.000-07:00

Capitola neighbors oppose skate park at Noble Gulch
Article in the Sentinel about all the neighbors that don't want the skatepark in there backyard.
By Soraya Gutierrez
Sentinel staff writer

Here we go again. I can see another 10 years of this just like the Santa Cruz Skatepark. Not in my backyard! I have to say that the Noble Gulch Park isn't the best location for a skatepark. The park will be too small like Jose park and the homes are way to close. I can see nothing good come of it in the long run. The McGregor lot, next to New Brighton State Beach still seems like the best out of the three locations picked. I think people would rather see a skatepark then a hotel. And if you are going to build a hotel then you should at least consider all the kids in town that want a skatepark. And believe me it's not just kids, it's parents with kids and adults that skate. Skateboarding is a family sport it's not a bunch of teenagers that thrash, litter and yell.

The Capitola Skate Park with the help of Consolidated's The Plan

2007-02-28T05:13:00.000-08:00

The following document was developed by Consolidated Skateboards as a comprehensive guide to getting a skatepark. I have embellished it with relevant links to resources on this site where appropriate.

The plan is not simple - It is going to take a lot of hard work on the part of you and your friends. The fact is, things that are very important never come easy. They require time and commitment. The best aspect about this hard work is that the feeling of accomplishment lasts long after the work is done.

If all this sounds corny to you, go back to the couch and put your brain on cruise control. You are the wrong person for the job. If it sounds good, read on and motivate now, because starting now will possibly get you a place to ride sooner.

1. ORGANIZE YOURSELVES.
First off, get a hold of every skateboarder you know. Your local shop could be a good meeting place. Organize a specific date and time to discuss the issue at hand. Choose one or two people to represent the skating community, and coordinate, organize, and record what is discussed.

Find parents that care and can afford the time, and involve them in what you are doing. They will be your connection with the city and government. Unfortunately, it may be hard for the city government to take a bunch of "teenage skateboarders" too seriously. That is why involving parents is essential. They know how to "work the system" better than you, because they have more experience with it.

After you have set up a good strong skateboarder group backed up by some concerned parents, the next thing to do is contact anyone in the community that you think could help your cause. These people could include:

A. LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS
These are the guys that are sick and tired of you "ruining" their curbs, benches, planters, etc. You can show these people an answer to the problem for both you and them. Let them know that the real problem is not the skating, but the lack of a place to skate. Try to get them involved in supporting a public skatepark, and have them attend city council meetings not to gripe about skateboard damage, but to show their support.

B. LOCAL POLITICIANS
Local politicians are essential in the power play to get your park. You can find the phone numbers to all your local government offices in your phone book. You would usually want to talk to the Department of Parks and Recreation. It is a good idea to approach these people with some well researched information about costs, locations, numbers of supporters, possible numbers of park users, etc. Use one of your parental supporters to approach this department.

C. RELIGIOUS OFFICIALS
Whatever your personal religious beliefs, these people when on your side, have enormous pull in both government and community. When approaching them, explain the need for the park- how it will help kids like you to promote skateboarding in a positive way, help keep you "out of the streets", and out of trouble with the law. Explain the moral and positive values of skateboarding, because that is the side they need to see to motivate them. Give good examples, like the church in San Jose, CA that has a mini ramp, or the numerous churches that set up obstacles in their parking lots on the weekends. Approach as many religious officials as possible, until you find some who are sympathetic to your cause.

D. POLICE SUPPORT
You may not like these guys, but the fact is that right now cops are the watchdogs of society. That is their job. It is their duty to stop you from skating wherever it is prohibited. They don't care that there aren't many places to skate. Hopefully the laws will change soon, but until then they will try and bust you every time. If you can get a few policemen on your side, things will be that much easier. By fighting for a public skatepark, you are actually giving them a solution to the problem. Most cops, whether or not it seems like it, have better things to do than write petty tickets. The bottom line is- get them on your side now, they are very valuable. If you have to, go straight to the chief and ask him his position on a public park. Odds are he or she will be very supportive, and may even go to bat for you when it counts.

2. PETITION TIME

A. INFORMATION PAGE
First off, you need a well written, carefully researched information page to give to people. This page should address the need for, and benefits of, a park in your town. Be positive- don't get bogged down whining about harassment or getting kicked out of spots, just let people know that a skatepark is no different than any other recreational need- like a park, jungle gym, basketball court, tennis court, bike path, or baseball diamond. List numbers of people that would potentially use the park. Let them know that there are skateparks all over Europe, South America, Australia, and even in the U.S. in many cities smaller than your own. You can look at the info page we've included for our town of Santa Cruz, CA for ideas.

B. INVOLVE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE
We have already covered this in some detail in section 1. The more people you can get behind you, the better your chances of success. Pass your info page out, even go door-to-door if you have to. Even people who you wouldn't expect may support you. Go to your local newspaper with your story, and ask for their coverage and support throughout the process. Involve your teachers and your school. Make it a project for your class. If there is a college in or near your town, there are hundreds of groups you could ask for support. Copy the user survey we've included, pass it out with your info page, and collect them for your final presentation.

C. SIGNATURE PAGES
This is absolutely essential to your cause. You need to be able to show your city government exactly how many ordinary, voting, non-skateboarding citizens support the park. Use the petition pages we've included, and xerox them. Leave a copy at your local shop, and collect as many signatures as possible. Go anywhere there are large amounts of people, and collect signatures. For example- sporting events, churches, school functions, malls, and libraries. It's a good idea to make a separate page with all the business owners, policemen, clergy, teachers, etc. Be sure to list their jobs, badge numbers, schools, etc.

3. SKATEPARK PLANS

A. EVERYBODY KNOWS A GOOD ARTIST
It's simple. The only people capable of designing a skatepark are skaters. Everyone knows at least one artist- you don't need a degree in architecture to draw, plan, and design a dream park. The best way to approach it is to put all your favorite spots into one area that flows well and has good lines. Consider the entire area you have to work with, and fit everything together like a puzzle. Use clay and sculpt a model of your dream park. Some areas of the park can possibly have uses other than skating. In Benicia, CA the central pyramid is wide enough to act as a stage for bands. This helps make the park more financially attractive to the city. It's worth sacrificing a few days of skating to have the whole park.

B. CONTACT A LOCAL ARCHITECT OR CITY PLANNER
When you have a basic plan, an architect will help you determine costs and possible sites, and make your plans exact. Remember that his/her work and time will have to be donated. The most important thing to get across to any non-skaters involved is that the actual design of the park has to be done by skaters, or else you'll wind up with a park that's obsolete in a few years. For more ideas, look at the Skatepark Developers section and the Ramp Construction section.

4. PRIVATE FUNDING - FULL OR PARTIAL

A. CONTACTS
The less it costs the city, the more attractive it will be to them. Make a list of potential donators, and contact them. Offer them permanent recognition at the park, like a plaque or mural with their names on it. Stress the promotion and free advertising they will get as a result of sponsoring a beneficial, public crusade. Your parental connections are essential in this step. They may know someone who is a cement contractor, or an architect, or even on the city council, and could get materials or time donated or at a discount. Remember to ask all the business owners who signed your petition, and the people who kick you out of "their" parking lots. Challenge them to "put their money where their mouths are!"

B. FUND RAISING
There are a number of ways to do this. In our town of Santa Cruz, CA we printed "Support Your Local Skatepark" t-shirts and sold them at the local skateshop. The artwork, t-shirts, and printing were donated, so all the proceeds went to a park fund. You can hold a skate contest, benefit concerts, even bake or garage sales. In Phoenix, AZ they formed a non-profit corporation called "The World's Greatest Shows" and held concerts and skate demos to raise money. The money was put into a fund, which the city matched with equal funds. Over $50,000 was raised this way. In Arcata, CA individual and corporate park supporters bought ceramic tiles, decorated them with personal messages or their logos, and now they line the spectator areas as permanent reminders of who helped build this park. The possibilities for fund raising are endless. Check out the Fund Raising section for further ideas.

5. APPROACHING THE CITY

A. PARENT SUPPORTERS
Armed with the guidelines in this plan, your petitions, and the support of your community, it is time for your adult supporters to approach the city. The key when approaching the city is to be prepared- bring your petition lists, lists of possible donors, the statistics sheet from this plan, and park plans and sites if you have them. Get as many people as you can to attend the meetings to show support, both both the skaters and the community.

B. SKATEPARK AS VIABLE NEED OF THE COMMUNITY
Explain to the city that a skatepark is just like any other sport/recreation area and should be treated as such. Refer to the Misc. Statements section for support. Make a list of all the baseball, basketball, tennis, and playground areas in your town and visit them. Record how many people actually use these areas, and compare them to one of your local skatespots. Point out that if there were no baseball diamonds, kids would play baseball in the streets and then it too would be outlawed.

6. IF EVERYTHING WORKS OUT

A. POLICE YOURSELVES
Let's say everything goes according to plan and your town builds a park. Your work isn't done. Keep your park clean and safe. Don't give anyone reason or chance to badmouth your park. Do not tolerate vandalism. If people graffiti, remove it immediately. The most important thing is that you make the rules as well as obey them. If you see people blowing it and jeopardizing your park, use the power that you and your friends have to stop it.

B. ADDITIONS
Depending on how much money was raised/donated, there are additions that can improve your park. Certain additions make your park more attractive to the city as well. As we said earlier, the more use your city gets, the more likely they are to build. Marble is very expensive, but is durable and if used sparingly is a great addition to certain areas of your park. Metal edges for grinding are faster, and are easier to maintain than a cracked concrete lip. Landscaping makes the park more attractive, and adding trees can provide that necessary shade after a hot session. Consider things like audience seats, drinking fountains, restrooms, playground equipment, public pay phones, and even a snack shop.

7. FINAL NOTES

The fact is, you have to work within the system to change it. You have to do things the way the city does, not just the way you do. Don't get frustrated, sometimes government takes a long time to move, but as long as you keep fighting for your rights as citizens, they can't ignore you. But it takes someone to get the ball rolling, and to keep pushing. We hope it's you. Call, fax, write or email Consolidated for more info, instructions, or support. Feel free to reproduce any part of THE PLAN and distribute it. Good luck.

CONSOLIDATED SKATEBOARDS
PO Box 1279 Santa Cruz, CA 95061
phone: 408-457-8206
fax: 408-457-8219
email: conskate@ix.netcom.com

In our efforts to get THE PLAN into as many hands as quickly as possible, we realize that no general guide could ever be complete or address every problem, and we plan on printing updates and revisions as we go. If you have information that you would like to share or have included in future publishings of THE PLAN, please contact us immediately.

Also, if you use THE PLAN and get a park in your town, let us know! We can include your story in future printings. Remember- every park built makes it that much easier for the next one!

The three properties recommended

2007-02-26T05:41:00.000-08:00

The city has identified three public parcels for possible use as a skate park.

The properties are:
* The drainage basin at 38th Avenue and Brommer Street.
* Upper Noble Gulch Park near Bay and Monterey avenues.
* The McGregor lot formerly used as the summer shuttle parking lot, next to New Brighton State Beach.

The City Council will hear testimony on the sites at a hearing Thursday. Copies of a staff report on the issue will be available today. Copies can be picked up at City Hall, 420 Capitola Ave., or on the city's Web site at www.ci.capitola.ca.us

Capitola scraps McGregor Drive lot for skate park, eyes Nobel Gulch Park

2007-02-26T05:39:00.001-08:00

The city, which has no money set aside to build a skate park, also needs to explore ways to finance the project. The estimated cost of the planning, design and permitting is $50,000 to $100,000, depending on the site. The construction costs would vary from $200,000 to $300,000 for a 4,000- to 5,000-square-foot park, plus the costs for any site improvements such as restrooms and parking. City officials are considering donations, fundraisers and allocating some money from its contingency reserves.

Full article:
By Soraya Gutierrez
Sentinel staff writer

Sentinel Update Feb. 29, 2007

Great turn out at the Capitola City Council meeting on February 22, 2007

2007-02-24T16:53:00.000-08:00

After going to the meeting and listening to all the kids wishing they could have a skate park in there neighborhood, it brought back memories of all the decades I’ve waited for a good skate park in Santa Cruz. Ironically the meeting was the evening of the same day as the Grand Opening for the Santa Cruz Skate Park. Our local kids need a place to skate. As a young teen skater we use to have to drive to Modesto and Sacramento to skate. That was a 2 1/2 hour – 3-hour one-way trip. In the mid 70’s we would drive to San Jose and skate 3 parks a night. San Jose had a park on Winchester Blvd. Bascom Avenue, Sunnyvale Saratoga, Milpitas, Newark, and Alameda. The only thing we had was Soquel Skate Park, which had bad transitions and poor concrete (sorry Ed). It sucked to put it lightly. Derby wasn’t any better. For a short while we had the Frederick Street Park but some kids got hurt and the city cut it in half and took the speed and fun out of the place.

I hope to motivate and inspire skaters in this community to keep the pressure on and to keep going to these meetings. You are the future of our community. I’d like this blog to be a spot where we can keep the local skate community posted on what is going on.