In December 2016 I visited Amelia Mayberry Park in Whittier,
CA to scope out a potential Skatepark project. I met 3 local skaters who shared
with me that their local skate spot was in front of the senior center. They
just skated the sidewalks, parking blocks, and parking lot. They told me how much
they would love to have a skatepark right where they lived. Showing me all the places that they thought it
should go was inspiring. I knew this was a project that spoke to my younger
self. I was that same kid skating at my local Recreation Center because we had
no other legal places to skate until many years later. Over the next 4 years of
having lots of public input meetings, presentations, and skate sessions with
the locals in front of the Senior Center, they finally have their very own
neighborhood skatepark officially opening this Saturday February 1, 2020.
The measure of success is always being able to listen to
what the local skaters are really looking for in the skatepark design and
helping to bring that to reality. Testing the skatepark to make sure it will
meet their expectations and then seeing how happy they are to finally ride ‘Their’
park is what keeps our team motivated to keep pushing for more public places to
ride. I feel like I am giving back the skatepark I never had growing up to my
younger self every time.
Hope to see you on opening day!
-Kanten
