Skate park project rolls forward

Jennifer Kho

COSTA MESA -- The city’s Parks, Recreation Facilities and Parkways

Commission on Thursday approved design plans for a skate park on Charle

Street, despite a controversy brewing over the location.

“I don’t think Charle Street is a good location, but I don’t want the

process stopped because [the city] has been too long without a park,”

said parks commissioner Richard Mehren. “It was ill-conceived to move to

this location, but that’s where it’s at.”

The skate park plans include ramps, half-pipes and rails for different

levels of skaters, a shaded area for spectators and resting and a

restroom facility with compost toilets.

The City Council approved plans to put the skate park at Lions Park

last year, but changed its mind after neighbors objected because of noise

and flooding concerns.

Many skaters spoke in favor of the park at the meeting Wednesday.

“I think the skate park will enhance the properties,” said Costa Mesa

resident Jim Gray. “We’ve gotta do something for the children. They have

been waiting, and a year for them is like 10 years for me. Let’s make it

happen.”

Several residents spoke out against the Charle site, however.

“I don’t know where the money is coming from for all this, but there

are no sidewalks on the south end of Charle,” said Karen Larson, owner of

an apartment building on the street. “Children who are too young to skate

play there and people walk on that street. If there is more traffic

because of the backup of pick-up and drop-off cars at the park, I’m

afraid people will be hit. I don’t know what sidewalks and crosswalks

cost, but if we have this much money, that’s what we need to do with it.”

Developers’ estimate to complete the skate park on the city-owned

vacant lot on Charle Street is $603,472.

Part of the cost would go toward installing restrooms at the Charle

Street location, an expense estimated at $75,000.

Several residents said the plans, which include only existing street

parking for the park, could cause congestion in the area.

“Parking is a real concern,” said Ron Young. “The Lions [Park] site is

wonderful, except this one has the advantage that the city owns it. Lions

does have restrooms, however.”

Parks commissioner Mike Scheafer, who abstained from voting, said

expenses such as the compost toilets and the shaded rest area should be

cut so more parking areas can be added.

“Whatever it costs, it’s worth it to buy another lot for parking,” he

said. “I’m going to want to watch [my relatives] skate. We’re going to

need parking.”

A parcel south of the city-owned lot is up for sale and commissioners

encouraged staff to look into buying it for that purpose.

The Planning Commission is scheduled to review the plans Sept. 25. If

the commission and City Council approve the project, the park is expected

to open in July 2001.