By the plant nursery and town hall of San Juan Capistrano lays a skatepark with the use for family bonding, friends hanging out, and those indulging in their passion.
It opened this past summer, June 30th, and it was soon packed with people full of excitement for this new outdoor skatepark.
“I was there when it first opened. It was super packed. Everyone was super excited to skate, we were ecstatic,” said Eddie Suarez (12).
Suarez has been skating for five years. Once the skatepark was ready for use, there was not a week he had missed going during the summer.
“When it first opened up, I was going every other day before work. But now I go probably every other weekend,” said Suarez.
Many enjoy skateparks, as they are places to hangout with friends and make new ones as well.
There is no pump track, but they have a bowl, slopes, rails, and sections if you feel more advanced or beginner.
“What makes the park different is the versatility. Not a lot of parks have street skating and avert skating. It has two big holes and stair sets and rails that anyone, no matter what letter can hit,” said Suarez.
Back in the 1950s when skating gained its recognition, it was called “sidewalk surfing”. Plus, once skateboarding became an event in the 2020 Olympics, it was more globally recognized.
Skateparks are necessary for cities because with their high popularity, property damage gets reduced.
Thanks to the Tony Hawk Foundation also known as The Skatepark Project founded by professional skater Tony Hawk in 2002. This non-profit organization has reduced complaints from property owners by 85%.
“We help undeserved communities create safe and inclusive public skateparks for youth,” according to The Skatepark Project’s mission statement.
700 parks have received funding from this organization nationwide, though The San Juan Capistrano skatepark was not directly funded by Tony Hawk’s foundation.
Nearly two decades ago, eager residents formed a Facebook page with a “Buy a Brick” donation for the goal of raising money for a skatepark. However, this was not the source of funds that created this skatepark. Instead, this inspired the community to find a way to independently fund this new addition.
Ultimately, it was a $6.8 million cost for San Juan, with help from Dana Point who annually contributed $25,000 for maintenance.
“Locally in town, I feel like a lot more skaters are coming together from all over the world. It’s just making skating bigger and better in the city of San Juan,” said Suarez.
The park is surrounded by neighborhoods and a farm, being a lively part of Camino Del Avion.
“As someone who lives near the area, every time I walk past that skatepark I see how full it is and how much fun it sounds,” said Nicole Becke Haro (12).
Skating has been an admirable sport and consistent hobby for not only students here but the world.
“Skating is a way to express myself beyond school or like any form of education,” said Suarez.
Expression is shown in many ways and the San Juan Capistrano Skatepark emphasizes that by providing a place for skateboarders.
San Juan Capistrano is a city based on community and togetherness, from a flock of swallows to skaters at the San Juan Capistrano Skatepark.
