Friday, August 15, 2014

New smaller Skatepark Design

Capitola parents envision smaller skate park at Monterey Park Capitola parents envision smaller skate park at Monterey Park Redesign submitted for Monterey Park two years after council vote for that site By Jondi Gumz

CAPITOLA >> Parents of skateboarders hope city officials will respond favorably to their design for a 6,000-square-foot skate park at Monterey Park next to New Brighton Middle School.

"We have submitted plans for their approval. We're waiting to hear," said parent Tricia Proctor.

"We wanted to design a really great park," said parent Marie Martorella.

Both were active in 2012 when the council voted 3-2 for a 6,000-square-foot skate park at Monterey Park.

The size was a compromise.

Monterey Park neighbors opposed a proposal for a 9,000-square-foot skate park, and the council majority called for a smaller park.

Proctor and Martorella said it took time to raise money for a redesign, which was done by Dreamland, which mapped out the 9,000-square-foot version.

"We had private donors lined up for the 9,000-square-foot park, and some pulled out," Proctor said. "It takes time and cost money to get the plans revised."

Added Martorella, "We have private donors who will pay for the park at Monterey."

Her children see advantages to Monterey Park.

"There's a sidewalk, there's grass," said Jason Martorella, 9.

"There's a parking lot," added his sister Mikaela, 15.

A year ago, while parents were responding to the city's direction, city officials began looking at plans for a park at an empty city-owned lot on McGregor Drive near the freeway and New Brighton State Beach, seeing no interest from developers to build a hotel there and assuming private funding for a smaller skate park had evaporated.

At meetings not attended by parents of skateboarders, the council adopted plans for a 12,500-square-foot dog park, 9,500-square-foot pump track and 10,300-square-foot skate park for the 4-acre McGregor site, allocated funds for improvements and began soliciting private sponsorships for the facilities.

Marc Monte, owner of Deluxe Foods and founder of an annual fireworks fundraiser for schools, offered to put on a Capitola show dedicating proceeds to the skate park, which was accepted by the city.

He's committed $50,000, according to city public works director Steve Jesberg.

Proctor and Martorella say McGregor Drive is not ideal for skateboarders because of its location.

There is no sidewalk, only the street for kids on skateboards.

"Imagine a mom pushing a stroller with her kids and maybe a dog trying to get to McGregor," said Proctor.

In the future, there may be a path where the rail line is now, offering safe access to the McGregor lot, but there's no timetable for that project.

Martorella said she has concern about drug activity in that area, noting a recent find of heroin needles on the sidewalk at the end of Park Avenue and Monterey Avenue.

Proctor concurred, saying, "I don't feel it's safe."

They said they are working to get support from Monterey Park neighbors.

At a special meeting July 31, the council voted 4-1, with Mayor Sam Storey opposed, to award a bid for the McGregor Park improvements to Earthworks Paving of Capitola but hold back on skate park infrastructure until they see the skate park design. The yes votes came amid misgivings.

Councilman Dennis Norton said McGregor Drive is "probably the worst location" for a skate park.

"I don't believe it's the best location because of the access," Councilman Ed Bottorff said.

Councilman Michael Termini said it was "critical" for a pedestrian path to be built to the McGregor Park site and called for funding in a future city budget.

"We all have reservations on the location, " said Councilwoman Stephanie Harlan. "I'm wiling to go along with it and try it."

Friday, May 4, 2012

New Capitola Skate Park Plans for a 6,000 square foot park

Everyone should be happy with this new plan.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Capitola Skatepark meeting Jan 26 th

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.