A no-tax skatepark — really?
A few weeks ago a commentary was written about a group supporting a skatepark in Ramona. We were encouraged to go to the group’s website and check out the details of their plan. The promise that the park would not cost taxpayers anything caught my interest.
After checking out the website, I think they may have been too optimistic in making that promise.
The first thing to note on their site on the question of “no new taxes” is the county’s detailed “fact-check” clarification of the group’s claim of funding and their claim that no taxes will ever be needed for the park. The group’s claim that money had already been set aside for the skatepark appears to have been a little optimistic as well.
The second thing I noticed about the site was the lack of acknowledgement of any negatives associated with a skatepark. However, I was informed that “skateboarding teaches positive life lessons…,” skateparks become “thriving family gathering places,” and “public skateparks become community spaces where skateboarders learn vital social and life skills.”
Skateparks are known to be associated with drug activity, gang activity, vandalism and theft. The only “acknowledgment” of any problems associated with skateparks that I could find is the fact that the group is working with the Sheriff’s Department for 24-hour video surveillance of the park.
You don’t need law enforcement video surveillance for “thriving family gathering places” that teach “positive life lessons” and “vital social and life skills.”
Taxpayers ultimately pay for increased crime and surveillance of high crime areas, so the no expense to taxpayers promise just went out the window.
Other problems related to skateparks include younger riders getting in the way of experienced tricksters, and skateboarders getting tired of waiting their turn to ride at the park. These bored athletes sometimes find a nice public stairway, planter or handrail nearby to vandalize. These problems are not addressed on the skatepark site.
Injuries are also an issue at skateparks. We are assured on the website that the county will be responsible for any liability resulting from injuries. The assurance is not very reassuring.
“We” are the county. If the county is liable, we are liable. Government funds pay for liability claims against the county. So it appears the claim that the skatepark will cost us nothing is struck another blow.
One of the more despicable reasons I have been given for projects like this skatepark is that we must keep our kids entertained or they might attack someone or destroy something. Most young people don’t need a skatepark, a graffiti wall or anything else to keep them from committing a crime. Those who use this “protection racket” threat should be taken off the streets, not rewarded for their criminal proclivities.
Most people stopped riding skateboards in their mid-teens. This group is putting a lot of hope in having a continuing source of volunteers for work and donations to keep their dubious promise that no taxes will ever be needed for this skatepark. The fact that this group has neglected to address the negatives associated with skateparks makes me think they do not want meaningful dialog. Their website is just a one-sided sales pitch — and not a very convincing one.
There is much more to the skatepark story than what is found on the skateboarders’ website. Ramona citizens should consider all the baggage that comes with a skatepark before one is allowed to be constructed in the community.
J.Dyer is a Ramona resident.