YOUTH SKATEBOARD TRACK PROPOSAL: JOINT PROJECT WITH REDONDO BEACH - TRITON OIL SITE

Recommendation

It is recommended by the Parks, Recreation and Community Resources Commission that Council conceptually approve a joint City project to construct a skateboard track at the Triton Oil Site in Redondo Beach.

Background

At the March 26, 1996 meeting, youngsters presented a petition to the City Council requesting the addition of a skateboard track to South Park. In response to that, Council directed the Parks Commission to take the matter under consideration ( see Attachment A) . After a preliminary report on these facilities, the Commission elected a subcommittee to investigate the issue further.

Finding it difficult to identify a location in the City that would be suitable for a track, the subcommittee began to explore alternative sites including the SCE property immediately adjacent to Hermosa Beach. The SCE idea was ruled not feasible both due to anticipated future uses for the property and to community perceptions about the power lines.

During this process, the subcommittee met with Parks Commissioners from the City of Redondo Beach who eventually identified the Triton Oil Site as a potential location for a track. This concept was presented and approved by the Hermosa Beach Commission at their March 19, 1997 meeting.

Analysis

In the interests of efficiency, the Commission wished to obtain conceptual approval from City Council prior to advancing any further efforts with Redondo Beach. To that end, the Council needs to determine: (a) if there is support for a skateboard track and (b) if the City would be interested in pursuing a joint project with Redondo Beach at the Triton Oil Site.

In addressing those issues, clearly Council will be greatly concerned with the issues of location (e.g., will it be convenient enough to serve the needs of Hermosa Beach youth?) and funding.

The proposed skateboard track is estimated to cost from $100,000-150,000 to construct with operational costs to be determined. No proposals have been developed with regards to cost sharing between the cities since neither City has obtained conceptual approval for the project.

Staff has identified a potential funding source for track construction called "At-Risk Youth Recreation & Service Facilities Competitive Grant Program" administered by the LA County Regional Park and Open Space District (a program funded under Proposition A: The Safe Neighborhood Park Act of 1992). Nearly $4 million will be available on a competitive basis in May, 1997 for projects that benefit at-risk youth County wide. With a joint City application and the vandalism experienced in both cities attributable to skateboarders, the project may fare well in meeting grant criteria. Absent this funding, there may be opportunities for some private donations based on the level of expressed enthusiasm for this facility.

Operational costs are to be determined and will be dependent on whether or not the facility would be supervised and what maintenance issues will accompany the opening of the track.

The Harbor Commission in Redondo Beach has expressed initial reservations regarding the use of this property for a skateboard track as have some of the Harbor area merchants. As such, it remains to be seen whether or not this concept has an opportunity for success. If this project cannot advance past the conceptual approval stage, the Commission will provide Council with alternative recommendations about the skateboard track.

Fiscal Impact: None