Burbank takes in ‘boarders

Molly Shore

Dude, there’s finally a place in town to execute a decent ollie,

kick flip and rail grind.

Burbank’s newest recreation facility -- the 10,000-square-foot

Valley Park skate park for skateboarders and rollerbladers -- opens

today, and is free through Tuesday.

“We dreamed of a skate park when I was in junior high,” said

Burbank native Mike Flad, who is the city’s director of Park,

Recreation and Community Services.

Flad said the design was developed with suggestions from skaters

and skateboarders on what features they wanted in the park.

Glendale resident Nick Couscouris, 30, stopped by the new facility

earlier this week to check it out.

“This looks pretty good,” he said. “Something to get a workout on.

Myself, I’d build it much bigger, but I’m not going to complain.”

Flad said a skate park has been in high demand for several years,

but the city was hesitant to build one until state legislation was

passed in 1997 that relieved the parks from injury liability.

City officials hope skateboarders will go to the new park to

practice tricks, rather than using public and private property and

damaging it.

The skate park, part of the renovation of Valley Park, celebrates

its grand opening at 10 a.m. with a performance by Fastlane Board

Shop skaters. Refreshments, giveaways, a moon bounce and more are

part of the day’s festivities.

All skateboarders and skaters are required to wear protective

gear, including a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads.

A waiver form, issued by the city, must be signed before anyone

can use the facility. Forms are available at the skate park and

Verdugo Park. Skaters younger than 18 need a parent or guardian’s

signature on the waiver.

The skate park hours are 3:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through

Thursdays, 3:30 to 9 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.

Beginning Tuesday, Burbank residents will pay $3 for an all-day

pass, while others will pay $5.

Annual passes are also available at $40 for residents and $60 for

nonresidents.