Comments on: Ojai Skate Park: Guest Editorial

By: Boardless

Boardless — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 07:17:28 +0000

You know what?
Cut your losses and abandon the idea of building at this site. Do you think it is going to get better? How are you ever going to feel welcome there? It doesn’t make sense. Even if it gets legally resolved? Come on, pay attention. The skate park on district property is not wanted. And this is going to further drive home the point to the kids that they are not wanted. You think the kids are unaware of this attitude?
The worst part of saying this is that I cannot offer an alternative.
I am not a parent and not kid oriented. I think the skate park is a fantastic idea and I am appalled at the decade long inaction or mis-actions of the city and the school district. Why is it that Santa Paula and Fillmore can get it together and gushing little Ojai cannot?
My meager support, besides this missive, has been to pay admission at the fund raising events and walk away. Too much energy for me. And I applaud the fine folks that given so much in their endeavor to raise the funds for Ojai Skate Park 2.0. Wow, it’s just incredible!
There is the property right next to the current skate park location where the old welding shop used to be and has been empty and derelict for years. What’s the feasibility of acquiring this as a site? Horrendous, I’m sure, considering the economic climate of the times. And I am sure it’s probably been considered; but the centrality of the location couldn’t be better.
If there are behavior problems, and there is always some, keep the park close to Ojai Avenue like it now is. And, I wouldn’t hesitate to agree that the district is overstating the problem. But close proximity to this main thoroughfare will help keep an eye on the activities there, and provide the opportunity for us geezers to marvel at the agility of these kids and their superior feats of coordination.
Hell, for me just staying on the board is a superior feat. I fell off mine 43 or 44 years ago, hit my head pretty hard and never got back on.
That’s my two cents worth. But the kids of the Ojai deserve much, much more. The committee spearheading the skate park should seriously rethink the advisability of continuing the association with the school district.

By: Skater Mom

Skater Mom — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:14:19 +0000

Update from Dale Summersille, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department as of July 17, 2009:
The following has been accomplished:
-Design Team submitted “90 percent” construction plans to the Community Development Dept. for review. Plans may change depending on the review process.
-The Planning Commission approved the Design Review Permit for the Park at its July 1 meeting; the Ojai Unified School District has appealed the decision to the City Council. The matter is expected to be heard by the City Council at its July 28 meeting.
-The City has received a response from the School District regarding exercising the City’s option for an additional 3,500 sq ft. for the park, which led to…
-The City Council creating an ad-hoc committee to meet with two OUSD board members and staff to discuss concerns expressed in the response letter.

By: Old School skater dude.

Old School skater dude. — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:13:50 +0000

This park won’t be just for kids. I’m 40 yrs old and have been waiting/dreaming a long time for this park to be built. I intend to be there when(ever) it opens and shred it old school style. I look forward to bringing my kids there and teaching them the ropes. When I saw the OUSD article in the ojai newspaper, my blood started boiling. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. I think its a disgraceful tactic on Mr. Baird’s part. I mean, a drinking fountain and a bathroom??? Give me a break. There are quite a few stores to buy drinks, public bathrooms and water fountains (the arcade and libby) within a few blocks. Our town is not that big.
I would hate to grow up in this town and I’m surprised there’s not more juvi-crime here.. There is absolutely nothing to do here as a kid. Sheesh, give the kids a break and focus more on how to save your public schools from being sub-standard gang infested crap-holes, Mr Baird.
Skate parks keep kids out of trouble, teaches them how to focus, set and achieve goals and that practice makes perfect. They can apply that gained knowledge and experience to the rest of their lives, just as I did.
You, Mr. Baird, are a dweeb. Shame on you.

By: Deana

Deana — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:51:31 +0000

Excellent comments and news from Skate Mom about the skate park trials. Ojai desperately needs to serve our teenage population in a positive way. The skate park has the potential to be a place for recreation and sport for teens, adults, and young kids if it can ever be built. Some of the crime concerns should be addressed by the construction of a real skate park with concrete bowls that aren’t possible to hide behind nor crawl under. I am surprised at our school board. I didn’t realize the park was theatened yet again. It’s been how many years that kids have waited for this skate park? And we think we are family and kid friendly? There really are not many community areas/facilities to be shared in Ojai. What is the school board’s response? Let’s create and serve our community.
Deana

By: Suza

Suza — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:49:35 +0000

Dear Skater Mom (whose real identity I know too),
My heart sank when I saw the recent skate park headlines in the Ojai Valley News. Does everyone realize HOW MANY YEARS have gone by since the idea for an Ojai Skate Park first came before the City Council?
I was there and to the best of my recollection it must be about TEN YEARS!
So much time has gone by that now we have another round of citizens wondering why the Skate Park cannot be located at Sarzotti Park. Many no longer remember how the people living near the park PROTESTED!
A centrally located Skate Park in our downtown core makes it much more possible for youngsters to transport themselves car-free and independent. Not only do we need a Skate Park in a central location, we need a PARADIGM SHIFT and set into motion a truly pedestrian friendly plan/street design for downtown Ojai where KIDS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN CARS..where Pedestrians of All Ages, but most especially the very young and the very elderly are King of the Road. Tourists will LOVE Ojai even more when they see young people walking, bicycling and riding their skate boards safely to the skate park.
Skater Mom, I know your patience is being sorely tested…I applaud and admire your fortitude!

By: Kenley

Kenley — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:04:49 +0000

Kudos. Good work here Skater Mom. A truly disappointing and sad state of affairs when the only group opposed to doing something for the children of Ojai is the very group that has the most public influence on our children.
I hope it turns around soon and a happy and creative solution is reached. The School Board should be leading this effort to build a skate park.