StraightFromTheHip

Details:

Date: 1999 - Present

Location: San Diego, California

Description: A case for DIY (Do-It-Yourself)

Situation:

In 1999 public Skateparks in San Diego were almost non-existent aside from the Encinitas YMCA and a few private facilities. In fact a municipal executive decision was made to create a task-force to deal with the issue of skateboarders and skateboarding in the City of San Diego.

Police officers were being tasked extra hours with the mission of ticketing and incarcerating skateboarders. Frustrated with the situation, dedicated skateboarders Joe Pino and Glen Wagner decided to take matters into their own hands. They found an uninhabited, drug infested site under the Washington Street Bridge and went to work…

Key Challenges:

When the city realized a skateboard park was being built without their permission actions were taken immediately to tear it down. Bulldozers moved in and the park was surrounded with highway barriers to close the space off.

Process Highlights:

• Skaters protested and formed the official Washington Street Skatepark Association (non-profit organization)
• Mass media exposed the story and created enough public support that the city heard their story
• City council meetings are attended and community leaders took a stand to support the issue and finally the park was allowed to stay
• Land use permits, encroachment and removal permits, construction insurance, and most noteworthy - the one and only Engineering Permit (a $2400 piece of documentation) enabled construction to begin
• Hanger 18 skateshop owner Ken Lewis lead the fundraising efforts and got the required blue-prints approved by Sr. Engineer Mohammed Sammak

Results:

After a long hard battle for legitimacy, funding and construction, the Washington Street Skatepark is now an official San Diego public skatepark. The result of numerous art shows and music events, many generous sponsors, and of course a group of dedicated and hardworking volunteers along with a very patient City of San Diego.

• Top-rated skateboard park in Southern California (an international destination)
• Winner of Thrasher Magazine’s T-Eddy awards for Best Park
• Recipient of the San Diego Channel 10 News Leadership Award

SFTH Comments:

What more can be said…The efforts of the now famed Washington Street crew drove vagrants away and provided what is now great skatepark facility in the downtown area where one was much needed. DIY skatepark solutions are not for every community but it certainly goes to show the passion, pride and ownership skateboarders live and breathe every day.
Parting Message: Build them, so they don’t have to!!

Content and images provided courtesy of Washington Street Skatepark Association