Completed Projects - Parks / Coast / Environment

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Skate Park Update

On September 23, 2003 the San Diego City Council unanimously approved the Rancho Peñasquitos Skate Park. The approval and completion of the skate park is one of Councilman Scott Peters top 10 priorities in Council District 1.

"This is a great day for the community of Rancho Peñasquitos, which has been working for six years to get a skate park," said Councilman Peters. "With this action, we are increasing park space and providing a safe and supervised location for our children to skateboard. I am proud to be able to support the community in their quest for this great new amenity, which will enhance the quality of life for kids in this area."

Prior to approval by the City Council, the skate park received near unanimous votes of support from the San Diego Planning Commission, San Diego Park and Recreation Board, the Park and Recreation area committee, the Rancho Peñasquitos Planning Board and the Rancho Peñasquitos Park and Recreation Council.

Project Description:
The Rancho Peñasquitos Skate Park will be located between Carmel Mountain Drive and Highway 56 (Ted Williams Parkway) east of the Caltrans Park & Ride. The park is designed as a street course with a mixture of concrete and wood structures and a landscaped buffer around the entire perimeter consisting of trees, shrubs, and ground cover to help blend the project with the surrounding neighborhood. For security, a fence encloses the entire skate area. The fence adjacent to Carmel Mountain Drive will be constructed of Ornamental Iron to help blend with the surrounding community. The project also includes a staging area that consists of a check-in/storage/restroom building, seating areas with trees in tree grates for spectators and skaters, drinking fountains, and vending machines. Twenty-one parking spaces within the Caltrans Park & Ride will be utilized to maximize the recreation space. Disabled parking (two-spaces) is provided in the skater/pedestrian drop-off area at the east portion of the park site.

The design of the park simulates a street course. Some of the design elements are banks, transitions, grind walls and ledges, rails, benches, a picnic table installed over a set of stairs, and a 10-stair element with ledges and a rail. The concrete portion of the project will primarily be along Carmel Mountain Drive, taking advantage of slopes from the existing sidewalk into the project site. The wood structures are situated along the southern boundary of the project. By using wood structures within this skate park it will allow for these pieces of equipment to eventually be changed or moved around.

The landscaping includes two palm trees in planters within the skate area to not only create some shade but to also simulate a common street element for the skaters to use in developing their skills. The park is designed for all ability levels from beginners to the more advanced skaters.

Budget:
The total project cost is estimated at $1.3 million.
Approximately half of the funding has been secured. The remaining funds are expected to come from State Grants and private fund raisings.

Schedule:
The Skate Park is currently in the design phase.
Project construction is expected to commence in the summer of 2004 and end in the winter of 2005

Project Architect:
Schmidt Design Group, Inc.
2655 Fourth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
Contact: Chris Chockley, ASLA

City of San Diego
Contact: Gus Button, Project Manager
Telephone: (619)533-3025
E-mail Address: GButton@sandiego.gov