Skateboarding has been around for decades. And, in it”s still relatively short history, it has become a huge industry that has made some companies wealthy and the best skaters rich and well-known. It is actually quite surprising that Lakeport is a town without a skateboard park for its youth.
For years there has been an ongoing battle waged between the adults in charge of places that skateboarders have found to be good places to ride, in the absence of a real skate park. No one could really fault the property owners for posting “No skateboarding” signs. They were generally just looking out for their customers and attempting to keep from being sued by someone injured on their property.
Although it would have been good for many if a skate park would have been developed years ago, it serves no purpose to chastise anyone for that oversight now. The important news is that the process is now in place and a location, the Westside Community Park, is set for the skate park.
Based upon the attendance last weekend at the first major fundraiser for the skate park, it appears that support for the Lakeport skate park is strong. More than 1,000 people showed up at the fundraiser in Library Park that started Saturday morning and continued until midnight.
Youth that skateboard may or may not also be soccer, baseball or basketball athletes. Regardless, when they choose to skate, the same as for those who choose to play ball, they deserve a place to enjoy their activity. We”re pleased that a skateboard park in Lakeport will become a reality.
