In defense of a skatepark in Ramona
In your June 11, 2015, issue Mr. J. Dyer gave his opinion of how he perceives a proposed skatepark for Ramona. His first comment was about how the skatepark could be funded.
Yes, Mr. Dyer, there is a vehicle whereby a skatepark can be funded without any increase in taxes. The vehicle is called the Park Land Dedication Ordinance. Hopefully Mr. Dyer will take the time to investigate the funding issue.
His statement that skateparks are associated with “..drug activity, gang activity, vandalism and theft,” is greatly exaggerated and opinionated. Skaters are no different than other kids. As I explained many times, not all kids want to nor have the wherewithal to attend organized sports. All boys cannot play on the school football team and not all girls can make the cheerleading team.
Skaters are mostly just being kids. They have the courage to try their skate tricks over and over until they achieve success.
As for the liability of the taxpayers for injuries at a skatepark, be aware there is a state law that eliminates public liability in a skatepark.
I owned and operated a skatepark/skating facility in Texas for 15 years and I know what I speak of.
I sense that from what I have read before by Mr. Dyer that he is a fiscal conservative — and I applaud him for that. However, before he proceeds any further with his comments about a skatepark for Ramona, he should:
- Be aware that there have been at least four attempts at building a skatepark in Ramona in the last 20 years and that the current skatepark group has made it the furthest so far and has worked very hard to get this far. All the previous ones gave up because of “red tape.”
- Have “meaningful dialog” with the skatepark group. They have public meetings once per month.
- There is definitely a need for a skatepark in Ramona. Poway, Lakeside and other communities have skateparks, and Ramona should finally get one for our kids.
Joe Minervini is a Ramona resident.