Skateboarding in parks a problem
By Meg Boberg Special to the Acorn

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers A DIFFERENT OPTION- Skateboarders like Steve Badillo are encouraged to take advantage of skating-approved facilities such as Simi's Skatelab, shown here.

Summertime skateboarders are once again drawing the ire of the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District.

According to park officials, in the past three months, 385 skateboarders have been given formal warnings by park rangers for unlawfully boarding on district property, compared to 225 such warnings handed out from May through July a year ago.

Skateboarding is not allowed on park district property, and those who disobey the law are subject to fines, ejection from the park and/or confiscation of their board.

Park District General Manager Larry Peterson said the rule is meant to prevent property damage as well as injury to park patrons and the skateboarders themselves.

Damages caused by skateboards in parks often ruin stair railings, concrete and paint, Peterson said.

"In the parks, we want to ensure the benefit of the most people," he said. "Parks should facilitate enjoyment not for the benefit of one group in particular, but everyone."

Regulations regarding skateboarding are posted in all Rancho Simi parks. Specifically, the rule states, "No person will use a skateboard or any similar device unless the district has given that person specific written permission to do so."

Summertime is the most popular time for skateboarding and, unfortunately for the park district, many skaters find their way to local parks.

"Young people usually don't realize how destructive (skateboarding) can be," said Colleen Janssen, park district spokesperson.

The problem must be taken seriously, Janssen said, because taxpayers foot the bill for park damages and hospital bills.

Most recently, skateboarders were blamed for damaging the facilities and exhibiting unruly behavior at Mae Boyer Park on Kanan Road in Oak Park.

According to Janssen, park rangers enforcing the rules are often faced with belligerent, disrespectful behavior from offenders, in spite of possible consequences.

"What's the big deal?" is a common objection heard by Park Ranger Bob Yocum from skateboarders while he's on patrol.

"The big deal," Yocum said, are the potential dangers.

Like all sports, skateboarding has inherent risks. Most skateboarders don't wear helmets, which can result in injuries or even death. Not all skateboarders receive citations because they flee the scene before a ranger can make an assessment, Yocum said.

"When (skateboarders) see rangers approach in the trucks, it's not uncommon for them to yell profanities and go running."

"For guys, it's some kind of macho thing," Yocum added, referring to the lack of safety precautions taken by skateboarders.

As a first response, rangers on duty educate and warn skateboarders. Further consequences can result from continual violation of park rules. "If we have to issue citations in some instances we will, and that will mean either a fine, an appearance before a judge or both," Peterson said.

For more information about park rules and regulations, visit www.rsrpd.org.