Another Name For A Skatepark
Think of it as an outdoor community center
By Vicky Blethen
Photos: The Staff at the Etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest
Have you ever thought of your city skatepark as more than just a place for “those kids” to hang out? In the 16 years since the Etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest opened in California, Community Services staff members began to think of the facility an “outdoor community center.” The result has been nothing short of spectacular, opening up a whole new world of skateboard-related programs.
The facility was born out of a public/private partnership among the city, Sole Technology, Inc., and Bank of America. Bank of America donated the land for the park’s location. Sole Technology, Inc.—the parent company of skate shoe brands Etnies and EAmerica—was a financial contributor. The company’s team of pro riders was a key factor in the park’s design, with the city supplying the majority of the budget for the park’s construction. In 2003, the skatepark opened to wide acclaim in the skating world as well as the parks and recreation world. Named as one of the top 10 parks to ride before you die by Thrasher Magazine, pros from around the world have skated the park, including Tony Hawk, Ryan Scheckler, Paul Rodriquez, and legends Christian Hosoi, Tony Alva, and Lance Mountain, to name a few.
“In 2003, the skatepark opened to wide acclaim in the skating world as well as the parks and recreation world.”
The park offers 68,000 square feet of skate-able surface, including three bowls, a cradle, stairs, a large street course area, and numerous rail features. The facility is fully staffed with an onsite office/pro shop and a dedicated website (www.etniesskatepark.com) with webcams, and has a high social-media presence on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Programming is based on the concept that this “outdoor community center” should have offerings for all ages and interests like a traditional center. Throughout the year, visitors have a variety of fee-based and free programs to choose from:
Beginning, intermediate, advanced, and private skate lessons
Skatepark etiquette classes that teach newer skaters safety techniques
Afterschool skate club
Weeklong and mini (two days a week) skate camps
Band nights featuring acts that are “all-ages-friendly”
Art shows
Skate competitions for all ages
Birthday party packages
Weekend overnighters
Movie nights featuring skateboarding movies and offerings from Disney, etc.
An egg hunt and Festival of Colors with a skateboarding bunny.
Among the most popular programs are the following:
Nectar’s Preschool Skate School
This fee-based class is designed to spark preschoolers’ interest in skateboarding—many of whom have older siblings who skate the park. This month-long program meets twice a week for two hours and is for ages 4 to 6 years. Students learn to navigate through the skatepark with the assistance of an instructor and earn stickers for their game board along the way, which features Nectar—the city’s official mascot (a hummingbird). Participants learn beginner skills, general skateboard safety, and navigating the skatepark. As in a traditional preschool program, participants are also given a healthy snack, take part in arts and crafts, and celebrate the end of the class with a pizza party and a visit from Nectar.
Afterschool Skate Club
Offered during the school year, the fee-based Afterschool Skate Club is twice a week from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The club is supervised by skatepark staff members, and enables participants to work on skate skills while having fun and learning through traditional recreation games. Club members are provided drinks and snacks. Like community center-based after-school programs, the skate club sets the stage for members to forge lasting friendships built on their love of skateboarding.
Skate Camps
During the summer and other school breaks, the park hosts fee-based skate camps. Participants learn the basics of ollies, flip tricks, grinding, and bowl riding, as well as the importance of safety gear, which all park users are required to wear (i.e., helmet, elbow and knee pads). Campers hone their techniques through recreation-based games, build their own skateboards with kits by Createaskate.org, and create and then print their own custom T-shirt.
Vicky Blethen is the Recreation Manager for the city of Lake Forest in California. Reach her at VBlethen@lakeforestca.gov.