Grinding grounds should be at top of cities’ to-do lists

How about Newport Beach stepping up to the plate with a skateboard

park for our residents? I think the perfect place would be behind the

library between McArthur Boulevard and Avocado Avenue. That area has

a rolling topography that seems like it would lend itself to the

challenging inclines and pipes the kids today like to skate. It would

not block the view of the homes nearby; it is near locations that

already attract our area youths, such as the library, the movie house

and Fashion Island. It is also open and available for immediate

development without conflict from other special interest groups --

arf, arf.

VICKI WEISS

Newport Beach

I have been going to meetings for the past two years regarding the

creation of a skate park in Costa Mesa that has been on the agenda

for 10 years now.

I find it so unfair that they just approved a renovation of $2

million for softball fields that, according to the city’s “total use”

list, engages only 3.3% of recreation activities in Costa Mesa.

On the other hand, city officials have only approved $500,000 for

a brand new -- from the ground up -- 15,000-square foot skate park,

which is half the size of skate parks in other cities.

I think we should try to pressure the city to spend about $1

million to renovate the softball field and $1.5 million on a larger

skate park -- about 25,000 square feet -- that will most likely be

used more than any other facility in the city.

RENE BRUCE

Costa Mesa