March 9, 2007

Large turnout for Lake Cunningham skate park groundbreaking

By Carol Rosen
Staff Writer

Old faces and new joined the group waiting to break ground for Lake Cunningham’s new regional skate park on Saturday, March 3. Many of them were ready to try it out that day, but will have to wait until the spring of 2008 when the project is expected to be complete.

The groundbreaking site was just below what eventually will be stairs climbing a hill to the actual park itself, which is south of the lake and Raging Waters. Other than the designs, it was difficult for most there to depict the park except in their minds. The size of the park is larger than other area skate parks. In fact, at 40,000 square feet, the park will be one of the biggest in the country.

Old faces and new joined the group waiting to break ground for Lake Cunningham’s new regional skate park on Saturday, March 3. Many of them were ready to try it out that day, but will have to wait until the spring of 2008 when the project is expected to be complete.

The groundbreaking site was just below what eventually will be stairs climbing a hill to the actual park itself, which is south of the lake and Raging Waters. Other than the designs, it was difficult for most there to depict the park except in their minds. The size of the park is larger than other area skate parks. In fact, at 40,000 square feet, the park will be one of the biggest in the country.

A crowd of about 75 people attended the Lake Cunningham skate park groundbreaking and all were encouraged by Vice Mayor Dave Cortese to join in while officials shoveled the dirt. Joining Cortese are skateboard park designer Zach Wormhoudt, Parks Commissioner Helen Chapman, District 8 Youth Commissioner Kevin Liao, Parks Director Albert Balagso and Velma Million, who was instrumental in getting the land set aside for the park. Photos by Carol Rosen

The city held two community and three skater workshops prior to completing designs for the park. These ensured that the park would both give experienced skaters the challenges they crave as well as have areas for beginners to learn. The city has several smaller skate parks within a few council districts. Eventually it plans one small skate park—around 5,000 feet—for each council district, plus the large regional park at Lake Cunningham.

Lake Cunningham Park was chosen because of its size as well as the level of activity. It’s the second most active regional park facility, said Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Park Manager Brian Hartsell. Its location was picked for the area as well as to ensure that skaters don’t bother nearby residents.

The skate park design has 26 features, including a 22-foot diameter full pipe as well as a competition jaw bowl, thumb ramp, ladle, flow bowl, hot tub/capsule, spill way, Euro blocks, ten-step and step up with Hubbas, drop ledges, a junior amoeba and beginner bowls. It will also include specific times for BMX riders, said Assistant City Manager Mark Linder, who added that plans hadn’t yet been formalized for the bikers.

The skate park itself is designed by Zachary Wormhoudt, whose company, Wormhoudt, Inc. designs skate parks throughout the country.

Phase one includes the building of the park and the stairs and walkway to and around the actual skating venue. There will be areas such as benches for viewers and for future competitions. A building for restrooms and a small staff office will also be located on the property. Current plans are for daylight operation only.

The city set up ramps and other paraphernalia in the parking lots after the groundbreaking allowing those inclined to skate. Here Ceasar Ramiriz, who has only been skating a few months, executes a jump from a small ramp. Photo by Carol Rosen

While parks officials were not ready to discuss Phase two, it likely will include lighting for night skating, additional parking and landscaping as well as drainage.

Vice Mayor and District 8 Councilmember Dave Cortese, Albert Balagso, director of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, and Kevin Liao, the Council District 8 youth commissioner all spoke about using the park to its best ability and the excitement and fun the skate park will generate.

They were joined by Velma Million, a longtime Evergreen resident, who was instrumental in setting up the regional park. Million and other volunteers from the East Valley Regional Park Committee lobbied to get the park more than 25 years ago.

“I’m so proud to be here,” she said. “It took a lot of work and sacrifice.”

Skating enthusiasts were also among the people attending the groundbreaking. Rick DeNardo from East Palo Alto, who has been skating for 36 years, said he was involved in the design of the park. He then “acknowledged what a marvelous gift [the park is] and the incredible construction” that will take place.

Others like Mark Machado, who has been skating for about 10 years, came from Santa Cruz. He too expressed his happiness at the designs and his impatience for it to be complete.

Joaquin Caraballo, who has been skating 11 years, spent a bit of time looking at the designs. “It looks great,” he said, “I’m imagining skating over the designs.”

“I think I’m going to come here a lot. The walk is worth it,” said Stephen Adkins, who has been skating for about a year and a half.

“It’s a really good thing,” said landscape designer Corbin Schneider. “This city is proactive for kids. The skate park will get them outdoors having fun. It’s a great idea.”