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1 , I About 500 skaters use the Modesto Skate Park, which opened in
<br /> a t
<br /> A ugus t 1998 eac d ay d the summer.
<br /> R - c' al
<br /> „°' ; {� some cities tried to skaters who tail to wear the equip - v .
<br /> compromise with ment are negligent and therefore skate
<br /> ` ' .. ry ; , : � . ,, -.., , m local skaters. For at their own risk, according to Lem- t( .
<br /> _ example, after the cke. "Some kids don't want to wear P
<br /> a tia4 , ' Modesto City Council helmets," he says. nt
<br /> { 4„ '' ' V t � "` passed an ordinance ci
<br /> a prohibiting skate S IT E SELECTION
<br /> T • r " boards in downtown If liability is not a hindrance, cities M
<br /> , business areas and can proceed with site selection and d,
<br /> parking lots and on development of a skate park. Lemcke A
<br /> i S ' school properties in recommends choosing a highly visible a;
<br /> '
<br /> -, . -' January 1995, the city site perhaps close to a roadway, so
<br /> 1 „ - 4„ •, created a task force to that it can be easily located, attended
<br /> ' ` investigate building a and patrolled. "Cities should not pick
<br /> .•,`'' ¢ "' skate park. The 27- an isolated location for a skate park,"
<br /> _` member task force he says.
<br /> jl consisted • of residents, High visibility also ensures that
<br /> �,,/;.` local business owners, police can better patrol the area and
<br /> - - • representatives of the cuts the likelihood of illegal activity
<br /> F fiY' *. police department or rule - breaking. Additionally, Lem-
<br /> } , ..,' 4:' - _ and 13 skaters. cke says, "Skaters like to show off.
<br /> 1 A The city set aside They want to be seen."
<br /> : ' $ 15,000 to hire a park Frequently, cities can tack a skate
<br /> "i designer — Fullerton, facility onto an existing park if space
<br /> o
<br /> I; ,;,;, Calif. -based architect allows. Co- locating saves parks
<br /> 1' Purkiss Rose -RSI — departments the additional costs of
<br /> rt and began researching building restrooms or concessions. For • 1 ,' other skate parks and example, by building a skate park at
<br /> I f r{' • liability issues. Ac-
<br /> i! cording to Recreation
<br /> 1 i From p. 58 Supervisor Doug Lemcke, the task Skating
<br /> force discovered that, in 1996, the terminology
<br /> . 4 as a television sport. In fact, ESPN's X National Safety Council, Itasca, I11.,
<br /> Games for extreme sports, held in San listed football, volleyball and ice Air: skaters have all four
<br /> Francisco last summer, attracted more hockey as sports more dangerous than wheels of skates or skateboards off
<br /> than 200,000 spectators and 400 skateboarding. Furthermore, a survey the ground at the same time
<br /> i. international competitors in events of 48 California skate parks revealed
<br /> for skateboarding, inline skating and that only two had been sued after Grind: a trick performed by
<br /> BMX biking. First -place winners took injuries. Santa Cruz, which has oper- scraping one or both skateboard
<br /> home $10,000. ated a skate park since 1978, has been axles on a surface; or by sliding
<br /> Regardless of the growing populari- sued twice. across a surface on the inline skate
<br /> ty of skating, many government offi- In Grand Junction, Colo., home to frames
<br /> cials are concerned about skating safe- Westlake Skatepark and Eagle Rim
<br /> ty, and they do not want to be held Park skate facilities, city officials also Half -pipe: a two- sided, U-
<br /> . responsible when injuries occur. In realized that, while cuts and scrapes shaped ramp; it likely will have 90
<br /> 1997, California Gov. Pete Wilson are common at skate parks, claims and degree vertical walls
<br /> approved a state law that designated lawsuits are not. Most cities post rules
<br /> skateboarding as a hazardous recre- requiring skaters to wear helmets, Hang up: catching the skate or
<br /> ational activity. Under the act, skaters elbow pads, knee pads and wrist skateboard on an obstacle, usually
<br /> basically skate at their own risk, and guards. Some cities, such as Bellevue causing a fall
<br /> their ability to file injury claims and Santa Paula, both in Calif., even
<br /> against cities is limited. require skaters and /or parents of Keyhole slot: a spillway or
<br /> Following passage of the law, many skaters to sign waivers absolving the smooth entry into a deep howl
<br /> of California's local governments city of liability.
<br /> passed ordinances prohibiting skate- Modesto passed an ordinance Vert: any ramp or surface with
<br /> boards in parks and other areas, leav- requiring use of helmets, elbow pads a 90 degree incline
<br /> ing skaters nowhere to go. However, and knee pads. It also stated that
<br /> 62 October 1999 AMERICAN Crtr & COUNTY A
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