Become a Watchdog today. Sign up to get the latest from Long Beach's independent, journalist-owned newsroom in your email. — or sign up with — Several years ago, Jason Romero’s mother had an aneurysm that forced him to live with an aunt and her boyfriend, whom he got close to. The boyfriend was a gangbanger, Romero said, and was pushing him to join.“Then I went to sleep over at my cousin’s house and he gave me a skateboard,” Romero recalled. “I started skating, stopped living with my aunt and stopped doing what [her boyfriend] did. Instead of joining a gang, I started skating.”Now, at 16 years old, the Lynwood resident has been skating for three years and has been affiliated with the ASK Foundation, a Long Beach-based nonprofit focused on uplifting young skaters, almost the entire time — spending countless days skating in the city and being part of the local skateboarding community.“[Skateboarding] has brought me to a more positive and safer place, people I can talk to,” Romero said. “If I’m feeling down, I can go skate.”Romero’s story is not unique. Many in the skateboarding community have shared similar stories of the sport keeping them off the streets and out of trouble despite the stereotypes many associate with the culture.📸Brandon Richardson is an editor, photographer and reporter for the Watchdog. If this work is important to you, please thank him.With that in mind, local advocates and city staff are looking at adding to the city’s already thriving skate scene with new parks. In a memo released Tuesday, city staff outlined four sites that could soon be transformed with ramps, rails and other obstacles.Across Long Beach, there are 10 parks where skaters can drop in, grind rails and clear gaps. Some people say that is enough, but the majority think the city could do with more, according to the memo. As part of a feasibility study initiated by the City Council in May, a survey of 631 people found that 90% were in favor of more skateparks.Most of the city’s existing skateparks are concentrated south of Pacific Coast Highway, west of Redondo Avenue and East of the Los Angeles River at Bixby, Drake, Gumbiner, Lincoln, McBride, Michael K. Green and Orizaba parks, with only one skatepark in the western (Silverado Park), northern (Houghton Park) and eastern (El Dorado Park) parts of the city. And the four locations identified by city staff don’t do much to balance the inequity of access.The memo ranked the following four potential locations, with distinctive designs, based on “opportunities and constraints”:BeachfrontA “world class Olympic skate facility” near the Alamitos Beach parking lot in Downtown. The memo describes the potential skatepark as being a 25,000-square-foot “destination style” park akin to Venice Beach. Staff noted that the site is near amenities, including bathrooms and food as well as other activities. The location, however, is subject to Coastal Commission approval and could cost upward of $5 million.Sample Skate Park Design, Photo: Venice Beach Skate Park, Venice, California. Courtesy of the city of Long Beach.Heartwell ParkThis site would bring a skatepark to the northwest corner of the park near Carson Street and Woodruff in East Long Beach. The memo describes a unique concrete design not found at the other city skateparks that would be “fun, wavy, and flowy—similar to designs that may be seen with a pump track.” The location is away from homes but near other amenities, including a walking/bike path, sports fields and a parking lot. Staff did note, however, that this location would likely require the construction of new restrooms.Sample Skate Park Concept Design, Photo: Photo © Copyright Evergreen Skateparks. Desert Skate Ranch, Mojave Desert, California. Courtesy of the city of Long Beach.Los Cerritos ParkNot in North or West Long Beach, but closer than the others, the potential site is located adjacent to the tennis courts just off Country Club Drive. The skatepark would be similar in size and design to the Michael K. Green park on 14th Street, according to the memo, which also noted the neighborhood skatepark would be constrained by limited space and the park’s sloped topography. Los Cerritos Park is also the only location not easily accessible using public transit.Sample Skate Park Design, Photo: Michael K. Green Skate Park, Long Beach, California. Courtesy of the city of Long Beach.Recreation ParkThe park near Wilson High School already has two skate elements, including a short rail and a manual pad near the corner of Seventh Street and Park Avenue. But the space, which is not far from the bandshell and playground areas, could easily accommodate a larger skatepark with more elements similar in design to El Dorado, according to the memo. Limited parking and the need for some tree removal were listed as constraints for the site.Recreation Park Existing Skate Elements. Courtesy of the city of Long Beach.ASK Foundation board member Jon Nakamura said he would have liked to see more parks in areas of the city with less access but added that any new park is welcome.“There are kids in all those areas that would still have access,” Nakamura said, noting that kids with no transportation would benefit from a park being two blocks away rather than 10, even if by car they are not that far.No matter where new parks go, “it’s a positive. I would never consider it a waste of resources,” Nakamura said.Long Beach’s modern skateboarding culture owes everything to former City Councilmember Mike Donelon, who founded ASK (or Action Sports Kids) in 2011 after more than a decade of advocating for skateparks in the city. In fact, as a councilperson, Donelon requested the city’s first skatepark feasibility study in 1998.In 2000, as a direct result of Donelon’s advocacy, the city opened El Dorado skatepark, followed by Houghton Park in 2004. McBride skatepark opened in 2011 and was partially funded by the Tony Hawk Foundation (now known as The Skatepark Project). The legendary skateboarder himself attended the grand opening of the park, which was designed with input from young skaters.“That’s what it’s about — to try to develop skateparks in areas like this and to see the sense of pride the kids have in it, in the fact that they really were part of this process and they saw it come to fruition because of their hard work,” Hawk told media at the time.Now, more than 15 years later, Donelon was on the steering committee for the new feasibility study. In an email Friday, Donelon said the massive Alamitos Beach skatepark is a “long shot” that would likely require a public-private partnership due to the projected cost.“I’m good but not good enough to raise that much money,” Donelon said, noting that his foundation has raised tens of thousands of dollars toward constructing skateparks in Long Beach.The smaller sites, according to the memo, would run at least $500,000 for a 5,000-square-foot skatepark — far less than the $5 million beachfront vision, but a big jump from the recently renovated Silverado skatepark, which had a price tag of $137,600.Courtesy of the city of Long Beach.To get future parks built, city staff outlined a variety of funding options, including foundation funding, Long Beach Measure A dollars, LA County Measure A funds and competitive state and federal grants.Working with foundations and others to bring Long Beach skateparks to life is not new. In addition to funding a portion of the McBride park 14 years ago, The Skatepark Project put dollars toward the Silverado upgrade along with discounts from skatepark designer-builder Spohn Ranch. ASK also worked with Vans and pro skater Geoff Rowley to design and fund the Bixby Skatepark, Donelon said.The Alamitos Beach park would end up paying for itself, argued Jeremiah Troncosa, 19, who is Donelon’s “wingman” at ASK.“A beach park would be sick,” Troncosa said, adding that it would be a huge tourist attraction as well as an ideal location for hosting competitions. “It would actually bring spectators and, say they get hungry or something, they’re gonna go explore Downtown and see what else there is.”But a monetary return on investment is not the driving force behind skateparks, which have other benefits, according to staff, including promoting public health, youth engagement and economic wellbeing.Providing youth with outlets such as skating has also been linked to a reduction in crime, according to ASK. Within three years of the Michael K. Green skatepark opening, drug-related incidents in that area dropped nearly 61%, while violent crime dropped more than 29%.Manuel Farfan, 18, skate at McBride Park in Central Long Beach Saturday, July 20, 2024. Photo by Brandon Richardson.Like Romero, Troncosa, a Long Beach native, said skateboarding kept him out of trouble and, echoing Nakamura, noted that any new park — regardless of location — is a positive.“I don’t think there could ever be too many skateparks — in my opinion, there aren’t enough,” Troncosa said, adding that skating saved his life. “It kept me off the streets, from going toward gangs or doing drugs.”Both Troncosa and Nakamura highlighted the community aspect of skateboarding. In Long Beach, skill level runs the gamut from professional to beginner and they all share the same spaces.“There’s kids that go to the parks that are just beginning and people are not like, ‘Get out of the way. You’re in my way,’” Troncosa said. “They’re like, ‘Oh, let me help you.’”“[Skateboarding] is important because it really does change a lot of kids’ life — even older people,” Troncosa continued. “Skateboarding kind of brings you together like a family.” We need your support. Subcribe to the Watchdog today. The Long Beach Watchdog is owned by journalists, and paid for by readers like you. If independent, local reporting like the story you just read is important to you, support our work by becoming a subscriber.

Become a Watchdog today. “That’s what it’s about — to try to develop skateparks in areas like this and to see the sense of pride the kids have in it, in the fact that they really were part of this process and they saw it come to fruition because of their hard work,” Hawk told […]

Subcribe to the Watchdog today.Now, more than 15 years later, Donelon was on the steering committee for the new feasibility study. In an email Friday, Donelon said the massive Alamitos Beach skatepark is a “long shot” that would likely require a public-private partnership due to the projected cost.“[Skateboarding] is important because it really does change a lot of kids’ life — even older people,” Troncosa continued. “Skateboarding kind of brings you together like a family.”
Sign up to get the latest from Long Beach’s independent, journalist-owned newsroom in your email.
Not in North or West Long Beach, but closer than the others, the potential site is located adjacent to the tennis courts just off Country Club Drive. The skatepark would be similar in size and design to the Michael K. Green park on 14th Street, according to the memo, which also noted the neighborhood skatepark would be constrained by limited space and the park’s sloped topography. Los Cerritos Park is also the only location not easily accessible using public transit.

Most of the city’s existing skateparks are concentrated south of Pacific Coast Highway, west of Redondo Avenue and East of the Los Angeles River at Bixby, Drake, Gumbiner, Lincoln, McBride, Michael K. Green and Orizaba parks, with only one skatepark in the western (Silverado Park), northern (Houghton Park) and eastern (El Dorado Park) parts of the city. And the four locations identified by city staff don’t do much to balance the inequity of access.Both Troncosa and Nakamura highlighted the community aspect of skateboarding. In Long Beach, skill level runs the gamut from professional to beginner and they all share the same spaces.

No matter where new parks go, “it’s a positive. I would never consider it a waste of resources,” Nakamura said.This site would bring a skatepark to the northwest corner of the park near Carson Street and Woodruff in East Long Beach. The memo describes a unique concrete design not found at the other city skateparks that would be “fun, wavy, and flowy—similar to designs that may be seen with a pump track.” The location is away from homes but near other amenities, including a walking/bike path, sports fields and a parking lot. Staff did note, however, that this location would likely require the construction of new restrooms.— or sign up with —Across Long Beach, there are 10 parks where skaters can drop in, grind rails and clear gaps. Some people say that is enough, but the majority think the city could do with more, according to the memo. As part of a feasibility study initiated by the City Council in May, a survey of 631 people found that 90% were in favor of more skateparks.

Beachfront

📸

A concrete skatepark on the beach. — Sample Skate Park Design, Photo: Venice Beach Skate Park, Venice, California. Courtesy of the city of Long Beach.

Heartwell Park

“There are kids in all those areas that would still have access,” Nakamura said, noting that kids with no transportation would benefit from a park being two blocks away rather than 10, even if by car they are not that far.

A wavy concrete skatepark. — Sample Skate Park Concept Design, Photo: Photo © Copyright Evergreen Skateparks. Desert Skate Ranch, Mojave Desert, California. Courtesy of the city of Long Beach.

Los Cerritos Park

The memo ranked the following four potential locations, with distinctive designs, based on “opportunities and constraints”:

A concrete skatepark. — Sample Skate Park Design, Photo: Michael K. Green Skate Park, Long Beach, California. Courtesy of the city of Long Beach.

Recreation Park

ASK Foundation board member Jon Nakamura said he would have liked to see more parks in areas of the city with less access but added that any new park is welcome.

A small concrete area with a rail. — Recreation Park Existing Skate Elements. Courtesy of the city of Long Beach.

Long Beach’s modern skateboarding culture owes everything to former City Councilmember Mike Donelon, who founded ASK (or Action Sports Kids) in 2011 after more than a decade of advocating for skateparks in the city. In fact, as a councilperson, Donelon requested the city’s first skatepark feasibility study in 1998.Several years ago, Jason Romero’s mother had an aneurysm that forced him to live with an aunt and her boyfriend, whom he got close to. The boyfriend was a gangbanger, Romero said, and was pushing him to join.Now, at 16 years old, the Lynwood resident has been skating for three years and has been affiliated with the ASK Foundation, a Long Beach-based nonprofit focused on uplifting young skaters, almost the entire time — spending countless days skating in the city and being part of the local skateboarding community.“There’s kids that go to the parks that are just beginning and people are not like, ‘Get out of the way. You’re in my way,’” Troncosa said. “They’re like, ‘Oh, let me help you.’”Like Romero, Troncosa, a Long Beach native, said skateboarding kept him out of trouble and, echoing Nakamura, noted that any new park — regardless of location — is a positive.“A beach park would be sick,” Troncosa said, adding that it would be a huge tourist attraction as well as an ideal location for hosting competitions. “It would actually bring spectators and, say they get hungry or something, they’re gonna go explore Downtown and see what else there is.”In 2000, as a direct result of Donelon’s advocacy, the city opened El Dorado skatepark, followed by Houghton Park in 2004. McBride skatepark opened in 2011 and was partially funded by the Tony Hawk Foundation (now known as The Skatepark Project). The legendary skateboarder himself attended the grand opening of the park, which was designed with input from young skaters.Brandon Richardson is an editor, photographer and reporter for the Watchdog. If this work is important to you, please thank him.The park near Wilson High School already has two skate elements, including a short rail and a manual pad near the corner of Seventh Street and Park Avenue. But the space, which is not far from the bandshell and playground areas, could easily accommodate a larger skatepark with more elements similar in design to El Dorado, according to the memo. Limited parking and the need for some tree removal were listed as constraints for the site.

A map of the city of Long Beach that shows the location of current and potential skateparks. — Courtesy of the city of Long Beach.

But a monetary return on investment is not the driving force behind skateparks, which have other benefits, according to staff, including promoting public health, youth engagement and economic wellbeing.Providing youth with outlets such as skating has also been linked to a reduction in crime, according to ASK. Within three years of the Michael K. Green skatepark opening, drug-related incidents in that area dropped nearly 61%, while violent crime dropped more than 29%.“[Skateboarding] has brought me to a more positive and safer place, people I can talk to,” Romero said. “If I’m feeling down, I can go skate.”Working with foundations and others to bring Long Beach skateparks to life is not new. In addition to funding a portion of the McBride park 14 years ago, The Skatepark Project put dollars toward the Silverado upgrade along with discounts from skatepark designer-builder Spohn Ranch. ASK also worked with Vans and pro skater Geoff Rowley to design and fund the Bixby Skatepark, Donelon said.A “world class Olympic skate facility” near the Alamitos Beach parking lot in Downtown. The memo describes the potential skatepark as being a 25,000-square-foot “destination style” park akin to Venice Beach. Staff noted that the site is near amenities, including bathrooms and food as well as other activities. The location, however, is subject to Coastal Commission approval and could cost upward of million.The Long Beach Watchdog is owned by journalists, and paid for by readers like you. If independent, local reporting like the story you just read is important to you, support our work by becoming a subscriber.

Manuel Farfan, 18, skate at McBride Park in Central Long Beach Saturday, July 20, 2024. Photo by Brandon Richardson.

“I’m good but not good enough to raise that much money,” Donelon said, noting that his foundation has raised tens of thousands of dollars toward constructing skateparks in Long Beach.The smaller sites, according to the memo, would run at least 0,000 for a 5,000-square-foot skatepark — far less than the million beachfront vision, but a big jump from the recently renovated Silverado skatepark, which had a price tag of 7,600.To get future parks built, city staff outlined a variety of funding options, including foundation funding, Long Beach Measure A dollars, LA County Measure A funds and competitive state and federal grants.“I don’t think there could ever be too many skateparks — in my opinion, there aren’t enough,” Troncosa said, adding that skating saved his life. “It kept me off the streets, from going toward gangs or doing drugs.”“Then I went to sleep over at my cousin’s house and he gave me a skateboard,” Romero recalled. “I started skating, stopped living with my aunt and stopped doing what [her boyfriend] did. Instead of joining a gang, I started skating.”

The Alamitos Beach park would end up paying for itself, argued Jeremiah Troncosa, 19, who is Donelon’s “wingman” at ASK.
With that in mind, local advocates and city staff are looking at adding to the city’s already thriving skate scene with new parks. In a memo released Tuesday, city staff outlined four sites that could soon be transformed with ramps, rails and other obstacles.