Isla Vista On Board with Concept of Skate ParkDiscussion at a community workshop centers on location, with noise a concern and many supporting a downtown site.
Santa Barbara’s skate park, Skater’s Point, was designed by Mike Taylor, who is also working on the design for the Isla Vista park. (Lara Cooper / Noozhawk photo)
By Lara Cooper, Noozhawk Staff Writer | Published on 07.23.2009
It’s a project that has been talked about for at least a decade, but after a public workshop Thursday night to explore the possibility of a skate park in Isla Vista’s
Estero Park, it could be awhile before skaters see any ramps or halfpipes.
Of the several dozen people who gathered to contribute input, most liked the idea of a skate park. Just not in Estero Park. Or near their homes.
Noise seemed to be the dominant concern, and the idea of relocating the park to a downtown location was a key discussion point. In the end, the board unanimously voted to get more information on both sites and poll nearby downtown merchants. After that, the project will be brought back to the board for review.
Provisions for a skate park at Estero Park are included in several documents, including the Estero Master Plan, which was approved last year, and the Isla Vista Master Plan.
The Estero plan also provides for a basketball court, a soccer field and a community center. Carol Belser, general manager of the Isla Vista Recreation & Park District
, said the cost of building the park would be about $595,000, but could run as high as $800,000, depending on the amenities, and would be paid for by Proposition 40 bond funds and fundraising.
The park in Santa Barbara is about 14,000 square feet and cost about $830,000 to build. Its designer, Mike Taylor, is also working to design the Isla Vista park and has spent several hundred hours working on this project, all free of charge to the district. Taylor, who was at Thursday’s meeting, said he had been to hundreds of skate park workshops and has designed just as many parks.
“The ‘not in my backyard’ people show up every time, and they usually have the same concerns,” he said. “And after the skate park goes in, they usually flip-flop and they see the skate parks as an asset.”
“The usage is through the roof,” he said of California’s many skate parks. “You live next to a park? Guess what? There’s going to be a soccer game, there’s going to be noise. Skateboarding noise isn’t any higher than the noise that’s already going on in the park.”
Belser cited a noise study during a presentation conducted by the Skatepark Association of America. Studies the organization conducted at a park in Santa Monica showed noise levels of 64 to 78, noise the study said would equate to “a conversation, a dishwasher or daily traffic,’” she said.
Trish McKenna, a landlord at the nearby Silverwood Apartments, said the owner of the building was concerned that he might lose renters because of noise complaints. “I am not against people who want to skate, but I think the downtown is a better location,” she said.
Both locations being considered, Estero Park and People’s and Perfect parks downtown, are owned by the park’s district, which helps considerably in the planning process, Belser said. “Location is key, and if we don’t get the location right, we’re going to be facing hurdles down the road,” she said.
Several people voiced concern that exploring a downtown location could set the project even further back. Taylor said it took 12 years to build the Santa Barbara skate park.
“My kids weren’t even born yet when we started, and they skated at the grand opening,” he said. “Don’t do that to these guys’ kids. They need it now.”
“I’ve been skating for many years, and have made many friends. That’s what these kids are looking for,” said Mike Pizano, a skater and Ellwood resident. “They need something here in Isla Vista.”
Board member Bruce Murdock said that of the 29 people who spoke, more people supported a downtown location, which he also agreed with. He suggested that the business tenants most likely would be in favor of the nearby park because it would increase foot traffic. “If I were a merchant, I’d say, ‘Yeah, bring it on,’” he said.
Board chairwoman Diane Conn said she liked Estero because it was in a location accessible to kids, and that “the noise is much less of an issue than people think.” But she also said that People’s Park is one of the most underutilized downtown parks.
“I’m not going to commit to a downtown site if it’s going to set us back, but if we can move forward in the same time frame, then I’m leaning for the downtown location,” she said. “I think it will be a more useful site.”
The board plans to revisit the issue at its August meeting.
— Noozhawk staff writer Lara Cooper
I had a blast going to amazing concerts this summer season. The Santa Barbara Bowl always rocks the City. The Sounds knocked my socks off all the way from Sweden. Maja Ivarsson, the lead singer, is SO RAD! Her little leather moto outfit was too cute, way stylin'- her and Gwen were precious together. Yes I said precious. Both of these ladies stage presence is strong.
Gwen Stefani is my hero.
SB Bowl
No Doubt's first jam was Spiderwebs, followed by a plethora of hits including Don't Speak, Hella Good, New, Sunday Morning
Slightly Stoopid at Blazed and Confused
Jenna and I cruzing the Nikes. Love this pic I took on my I phone, it's raw. Ended up at the "Blazed & Confused" Snoop, Slightly Stoopid, & Mickey Avalon Tour. Snoop was better than ever.
Tales from the Crypt. Snoop Dog is such a mother freakin gangster. He puts on are really entertaining show and is just hard about his vibe.
How are the dank plants on stage? OnLy In CaLiFoRnIa?!
Ready set go
Snoop did the illest tribute to Tupac. MAD RESPECT. Here is a clip from anther show so you can get an idea of what went on. He played "Hail Mary" SO SICK!
Damian Marley.... at the Bowl..
DJ Girl Talk got everyone up on stage
And some high schoolers, check out mi bro
Rebelution. I missed Ludacris later that evening. I was getting cranky and wanting to leave this one. It did remind me of my good ol days at Arizona being around a bunch of college kids. Not like I am that old, but three years deep outta the mix and into corporate world can screw with you a little. In a good way. The vibe is always great at UCSB
