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Published
by the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. CLICK FOR NEWSPAPER DELIVERY
Sunday, November 4, 2001
Unlimited day for boarding
Temporary skate park gives skaters grinding sans city restrictions
By Miguel A. Castro
Caller-Times
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George Tuley/Caller-Times
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Mauricio Tomaselli, 14, from Venezuela does a crooked grind Saturday during a SkateFest practice run at Concrete Street Amphitheater. Grinding has been banned on public property.
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Skaters who enjoyed rolling around the downtown and bayfront areas before they faced citations and "Skate at your own risk" signs, found a temporary home Saturday at the Concrete Street Amphitheater.
"A lot of kids here are shooed away from skating anywhere in the city," said Rod Carver, a pastor at Calvary Chapel Coastlands, which co-sponsored SkateFest. "We just wanted to give them a place where they would feel welcomed and enjoy what they love to do."
SkateFest welcomed skateboarders and in-line skaters of all ages for a day of free food, drinks, free merchandise, cash prizes awarded to contest winners and what skaters love most - ramps, rails and steps.
The event was free but those participating in the competition paid a $5 entry fee. Other sponsors were the South Texas Progressive Sports Association; Caribbean St. Skate Park, an indoor skate park in Flour Bluff; Odie's Skate & Surf; MD Surf & Skate; and Calvary Chapel of Austin.
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George Tuley/Caller-Times
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Phillip Bernhardt, 9, leaps off a ramp during SkateFest at Concrete Street Amphitheater. Churches, skate shops and other businesses sponsored the event.
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"We basically got together with an old member of our church who is now the youth pastor at the Calvary Chapel of Austin and decided to get together and plan this event," Carver said. "Some of the local skate shops and surf shops made some donations, the Concrete Street Amphitheater donated the facility and H-E-B donated some food."
Public, private penalties
Skaters face a long list of penalties if they skate on public sidewalks, public property, private property or public roadways.
If they skate on private property, they will be cited and maybe even arrested for criminal trespass.
Skating on a public roadway will result in a citation for breaking a city ordinance.
Skating on public sidewalks or public property can result in a citation if there is grinding, a trick where a skater slides on a curb or a rail with any part of the board or skates other than the wheels, which can scuff metal or chip paint.
Damaging public property is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of as much as $500.
Skaters who repeat offenses might have their skateboards confiscated as evidence.
Chris Garcia, a 15-year-old Corpus Christi resident, said he still skates on public and private property despite possible punishment.
"What is the harm?" Garcia said. "We don't damage anything. Plastic doesn't do anything. Bikes cause damage because they are made of metal.
"They can't stop us. If they take our skateboards away, we will just go out and buy a new one."
City considers skate park
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George Tuley/Caller-Times
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Elijah Mendiola, 15, slides down a rail on Saturday at Concrete Street Amphitheater.
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Charlie Bryan, director of the South Texas Progressive Sports Association, said Garcia illustrates why Corpus Christi needs a skate park.
"Kids who skateboard in South Texas are neglected," he said. "They are not given as much opportunity as other people in other parts of the state."
On Friday, a group of three councilmen and other city officials went to Portland to see its skate park and get some ideas of what to expect if they decided to build one.
Portland's skate park is expected to be complete by January.
City Councilman John Longoria, said last week that Corpus Christi already has a general design in mind but needs to find a location.
Some areas being discussed are Cole Park and Ropes Park, he said.
Contact Miguel A. Castro at 886-3758 or castrom@caller.com
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© 2001,
a Scripps Howard newspaper. All rights reserved.
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