Resident revives interest in skatepark at Collier Park

By Karen Brainard

For years, many Ramonans have expressed a desire for a skatepark, and now one resident has his eye on a site in the county-owned Collier Park and is seeking community support.

Joe Minervini invites local skateboarders, their parents, and anyone else interested to attend a meeting on Saturday, Dec. 1, at noon in the Ramona Library Community Room, 1275 Main St., to discuss a proposed skatepark.

The Ramona resident said he needs to form a skatepark group that has tax exempt, nonprofit status, and is asking any church, civic organization, or nonprofit entity to sponsor the group.

Minervini, who owned and operated a skating rink and skatepark in south Texas 15 years ago, met with some members of the county Parks and Recreation Department at Collier Park on Nov. 14 to discuss turning the tennis court in the northeast corner into a skatepark. Minervini pointed out that it has a smooth surface, a fence, and can be locked during off-hours. Mary Ramsey with the county parks department said he will have to first submit a proposal to the county.

The last-minute meeting drew about six skateboarders and a few adults. Minervini said he has been meeting with about a dozen skateboarders, but would like to get about 25 people involved in a skatepark interest group.

“They should have had something like this in Ramona 20 years ago,” Minervini said.

For safety, Minervini said he would like the county sheriff’s department and California Highway Patrol to periodically patrol the area if a skatepark is created.

“Let’s get the kids safer. Hopefully parents will help out,” he said.

Peg Jardin, a childcare consultant whose grandson is a skater, attended the meeting at Collier Park.

“I think it’s a great idea to meet the needs of children in Ramona,” she said and offered Minervini her support.

“My focus is the social/emotional aspect—how that will impact the community in a positive way,” said Jardin.

Minervini said he sent a letter to County Supervisor Dianne Jacob about his idea and she forwarded it to the county’s chief administrative officer.

For more information, contact Minervini at 760-787-5763 or jminervini1@cox.net.