Simi Parks Officials to Consider Ban on Skating

Amid growing concern over potential lawsuits from skateboard and roller-skating accidents in Simi Valley, local park district officials tonight will consider a ban on the popular youth activities at 30 area parks.

The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, which operates park facilities in Simi Valley and the community of Oak Park, presently allows skateboarding and roller-skating at local parks.

“We don’t want to look like the bad guys,” said parks spokesman Rick Johnson. “We just want to protect everybody, including those who may be injured by skateboards.”

However, no lawsuits relating to skateboarding or roller-skating have been filed against the city. “But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen,” Johnson said.

Park district board Chairman Rick Fields said a decision on a skateboard ban might not be made at tonight’s meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at the Sycamore Drive Community Center.

Fields said the decision on skateboarding and roller-skating at district parks will probably be postponed until a committee of skating enthusiasts and city, park district and school officials propose citywide guidelines on the activities.

That committee was formed in October after the City Council banned skateboarding and roller-skating at its Civic Center complex.

Skateboard enthusiasts, alarmed by the desire of some council members to ban the activities on all city streets, asked city and park district officials to form the committee to consider other sites.

After meeting with skateboarding representatives last month, Mayor Greg Stratton said the city probably will consider a ban on skateboarding and roller-skating on major streets. But Stratton said the city probably will still allow the sports on side streets and sidewalks.

“We don’t want to ban them on all streets,” Stratton said. “But as a parent, I don’t want them riding on Los Angeles Avenue any more than I would want them riding on the freeway.”