Think of it as an outdoor community center
By Vicky Blethen
Have you ever thought of your city skatepark as more than just a place for “those kids” to hang out? In the 16 years since the Etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest opened in California, Community Services staff members began to think of the facility an “outdoor community center.” The result has been nothing short of spectacular, opening up a whole new world of skateboard-related programs.
The facility was born out of a public/private partnership among the city, Sole Technology, Inc., and Bank of America. Bank of America donated the land for the park’s location. Sole Technology, Inc.—the parent company of skate shoe brands Etnies and EAmerica—was a financial contributor. The company’s team of pro riders was a key factor in the park’s design, with the city supplying the majority of the budget for the park’s construction. In 2003, the skatepark opened to wide acclaim in the skating world as well as the parks and recreation world. Named as one of the top 10 parks to ride before you die by Thrasher Magazine, pros from around the world have skated the park, including Tony Hawk, Ryan Scheckler, Paul Rodriquez, and legends Christian Hosoi, Tony Alva, and Lance Mountain, to name a few.
The park offers 68,000 square feet of skate-able surface, including three bowls, a cradle, stairs, a large street course area, and numerous rail features. The facility is fully staffed with an onsite office/pro shop and a dedicated website (www.etniesskatepark.com) with webcams, and has a high social-media presence on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.