Park District Approves Budget, Including Skateboard Park Funds

Plans for Ventura County’s first full-size skateboard park are rolling along following the park district’s early approval of most of the facility’s funding Wednesday.

Although it originally planned to vote on its 1997-98 budget next month, the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District board voted unanimously to approve its budget, which includes $100,000 to build the 10,000-square-foot park at Pleasant Valley Park on Las Posas Road.

Earlier in the evening, skateboarders and parents attended a City Council meeting to voice support for the plan, which will provide area youths with a place to do their kick-flips in peace--and legally.

Most of those who spoke said the park would provide a place for youngsters to legally skateboard, and keep them off the streets and away from drugs and alcohol.

“But most of all, it is an excellent opportunity for Camarillo to show support for youth who sometimes feel neglected in this city,” skateboarder Joshua Fagen said.

The only dissent during the two meetings came from Dave Plannette of Camarillo’s Friends of the Library, who warned that the skateboard park, which would be next door, may conflict with the library’s planned expansion and parking needs.

Councilwoman Charlotte Craven, who introduced a 1993 ordinance that outlawed skateboarding in Camarillo, is spearheading a push to get her fellow council members to kick in an additional $50,000 toward the project’s total estimated cost of $175,000.

The council referred the issue to its finance committee, which will recommend whether the funds should come from the General Fund, the community services grant fund or a combination of the two.

Council members decided to consider the committee’s recommendation within the next month.

John Williamson, the park district’s general manager, will accept proposals from architects for the next several weeks. Once an architectural firm has been hired, it will meet with skateboarders and other community members to evaluate the preferences for the new park.