READERS RESPOND -- City can’t skate the issue yet

I believe the skate park needs to be at TeWinkle or Fairview Park,

where there’s enough room for our families, parking and safety.

[The site at] Charle and Hamilton [streets] is not the site for all of

the above reasons, including the fact that there is not enough room for

the skaters.

And I also believe that Mayor Libby Cowan and Councilwoman Linda Dixon

need to be impeached because they are not supporting the city of Costa

Mesa in such a forum that we can be proud, like Councilman Gary Monahan

and former Councilman Joel Erickson did.

I’m no longer proud to be a citizen here in Costa Mesa with Cowan and

Dixon on the council.

MAUREEN SULLIVAN

Costa Mesa

Yes, there is a perfect place for a skateboard park in Costa Mesa. It

is right next to the Bark Park on Arlington [Drive] between Junipero

[Drive] and Newport [Boulevard].

There is a large area. Parking could be made there. And it is away

from any residential areas that people may be fearing skateboarders.

ERIC LARSEN

Costa Mesa

Maybe somebody should go over to Huntington Beach and take a picture

of the skate park built over near Huntington Beach High School.

They could build one over near Estancia High and Fairview Park. It’s

an easy place to get to. Kids wouldn’t be having to skate down rock walls

in our business areas.

I think Fairview Park over near Estancia would be a great place to

have it.

HERB ADAMS

Costa Mesa

I think there is a park over on 16th Street that might just be the

perfect site. And if there’s too much complaints or opposition from the

neighborhood, then remove the speed bumps on that street so the rest of

the public can use it.

And maybe take out the stop signs at Santa Ana and Orange [avenues]

also? Just a thought.

DENNIS MILES

Costa Mesa

I think it should be at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa.

That would be a great place for people to go skate because you don’t

want people skating on other people’s property then just messing it up.

That’s why we should have a skate park. And if anywhere, then at

Fairview Park because there’s no residences, it can be open later, you

can just put lights out, and it could be open all day, every day.

That’s my thought for the new skate park.

SCOTT NEIGER

Costa Mesa

I am in favor of a skate park in this city because you have to keep

the young people busy or they will get in trouble. The idea of having a

helicopter going over us at night to watch the children is ridiculous,

and it’s very expensive.

Some of the children are going way up to Arrowhead to skate, and I

think this is ridiculous and hard for them to get up there, especially in

the wintertime, when there’s so much snow. We have lived up there, so I

know what I’m talking about.

So, I certainly am in favor of having a skate park here to keep these

children busy. I wish I was on that committee, and I would sure tell them

there’s so many ways that you could save money and have a skate park for

these children.

ELLEN NIELSEN

Costa Mesa

Why not use the area behind Bark Park. You have restrooms, the traffic

is not that big of a problem and parking should not be a problem.

Families have a place to bring their younger kids to play. This way

families could spend some time together.

RON GREEN

Costa Mesa

There is a school that is located behind the Costa Mesa Golf Course

overlooking Huntington Beach and the Santa Ana River. This school has a

great deal of land around it where many people already ride mountain

bicycles, etc.

The City Council made the right decision. The Charle and Hamilton

location was very dangerous. I think we are all aware how irresponsible

children can be, and this is a high-traffic area.

Riding skateboards across Harbor Boulevard would have created needless

tragedy in the lives of many. A less urban area of the city would be much

more wise.

Kudos to Chris Steel and Karen Robinson especially, since they were at

least partially elected because of their stance on this issue.

A truly wise and visionary vote.

BRIAN GRAY

Costa Mesa

A perfect site for a Costa Mesa skate park? Not possible without

reassessing the type of skate park Costa Mesa would accept.

No one wants a 10,000-square-foot park in their neighborhood. Scale

down the plans and put smaller parks throughout Costa Mesa. Currently,

skateboarding is prohibited in city parks.

Instead, you see skaters in the streets, on school grounds, on

business properties or maybe even on your brick planter. We need safe,

miniature skate parks in many neighborhoods and should even include areas

for scooters, which have become equally popular.

All neighborhoods should be expected and willing to accept smaller

parks for their own neighborhood kids.

As for the advanced skaters who are disappointed in the City Council’s

recent decision, the idea of a huge, multiskilled skate park just does

not work in Costa Mesa.

Fortunately, there are commercial facilities and parks in other cities

you can turn to. Thank you, City Council, for putting the safety of our

kids first. It is time now to look seriously at what would work in Costa

Mesa. Lessen the impact, choose safe locations and be prepared to stand

up to those who refuse reasonable facilities in their area.

SANDI SCHEAFER

Costa Mesa