City to Limit Liability for Skateboard Parks
With the city’s three new mini-skateboarding parks set to open within the next two months, city leaders on Monday will hold their first hearing on an ordinance designed to shield the city from injury claims.
Under a 1997 state law, cities can protect themselves from liability claims at skate parks if they pass an ordinance and post signs requiring skaters to wear helmets, elbow and knee pads. Failure to wear the protective gear would subject skaters to citations.
The state law declares skateboarding a hazardous activity like surfing or rock climbing. The result is that cities and counties cannot be sued for injuries at skate parks sustained to anyone 14 years or older. Local governments are also protected from liability claims if the activity that caused the injury is considered to be a stunt or trick.
The new city ordinance would not become law until a second reading scheduled for June 1.
The signs will cost the city $1,000. They will be posted when the three 3,400-square-foot parks open. The parks, under construction for a combined $120,000 are being built at West Park in west Ventura, Hobart Park in east Ventura and Pacific High School in midtown.
The will include curbs and mounds to simulate skaters’ favorite spots on city streets and commercial parking lots.
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