After more than a year, Culver City may actually try to enforce the rules at the Skateboard Park on Jefferson Boulevard.
On Thursday evening’s 7 o’clock agenda for the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission, at City Hall, is the following item:
Consideration of a Recommendation to City Council Regarding Options
for Supervising the Skate Park and Establishing User Fees.
They listed four options:
a. No changes: Continue operating as an unstaffed facility with periodic oversight
provided by parks and playgrounds staff, the Park Patrol and the Culver City
Police Dept. But in my opinion, anyone driving by for the last year realizes this has not worked. If they keep with the status quo and continue to ignore the problem, then the city thinks they are safe. It costs the city nothing.
b. Volunteer supervision: Begin operating as a volunteer “staffed” facility with
trained volunteers on-site to monitor participant entry/exit and rule compliance.
In the interest of preserving participant safety and city liability protections, staff
does not recommend sole utilization of volunteers to provide supervision at the
Skate Park. Staff welcomes the opportunity to engage volunteers and could
explore such a program at a future date. In isolation however, staff feels that
using volunteers exclusive of staff has the potential to create an unsafe situation
for users and/or volunteers and a greater liability on the city.
• No fiscal impact at this time. If a volunteer program were to be initiated,
costs incurred may include staff time, volunteer training, publicity and other expenses.
c. City-staffed supervision: Begin operating as a staffed facility with Recreation
staff on-site to monitor participant entry/exit and rule compliance. Will cost money.
d. Contract-staffed supervision: Begin operating as a staffed facility by entering
into a contract with a skate park management organization for on-site monitoring
of participant entry/exit and rule compliance. The contracted entity would be
required to hold an insurance policy identifying Culver City as an additional
insured. Will cost money.
As for My Opinion…
What is amazing to me is that the city claimed the Old Skateboard Park had zero injuries.
In the staff report for Thursday’s meeting in Council Chambers, the city acknowledges nine reported injuries at the New Skateboard Park in just one year, including blunt injuries to extremities, facial/dental, minor lacerations. Also two reported cases of blunt head trauma and one case of altered level of consciousness.
Well, when no one supervises, that is what happens. Torrance, Santa Monica and Irvine supervise their skate parks. Why not Culver City? Bottom-line… money. Money is more important than safety.
Cary Anderson may be contacted at caryanderson@ca.rr.com
