TITLE
WITHDRAWN
Recommendation to receive and file report on April 18, 2007 El Dorado West Skate Park public meeting; and
Refer the following suggestions to the Parks and Recreation Commission for review and approval:
A) Remove the requirement that users of the skate park must wear
protective gear or face citation by Park Rangers.
B) Improve the signage at the skate park informing users that they
are skateboarding at their own risk.
C) Utilize a full time recreation leader at the skate park to engage
the youth who skate there.
D) Establish a public-private partnership that will enable
improvements in the skate park.
E) Involve skaters in cleaning up the skate park and setting specific
days and times for skate park events.
F) Explore how the design of the skate park might be enhanced to
meet the concerns of users who complain about its poor,
non-functional design.
DISCUSSION
On April 18, 2007 the Long Beach's 5th District Youth Council conducted a public meeting to discuss safety issues related to the EI Dorado Skate Park. A meeting was called after a plastic awning near the skate park was set on fire and burned away completely. Additionally, some members of public had discussed temporarily closing the park.
Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske asked the 5th District Youth Council to hold the meeting and to have Dr. Lydia Hollie, Chair of the Long Beach Youth and Gang Violence Prevention Task Force provide the Youth Council with training about how to conduct a public hearing that is respectful and inclusive. This experience was not only a public process to discuss issues related to the EI Dorado Skate Park, but also an experience in civic duty for several members of the 5th District Youth Advisory Council. The panel for the hearing consisted of Youth Council Members, Chair, Mackenzie Martin, Joseph Robinson, Ben Garcia, Secretary Ben T...
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