Mayor Hosting Public Skate Park Meeting Wednesday

A skate park in Capitola has been a long time coming. Skateboarding is illegal in Capitola Village, but that didn't prevent the , 83, last summer, who was hit by a skater just off the Stockton Bridge. 

Since that incident, the City of Capitola's response has been swift and consistent. Stricter Village skating rules were , and plans for a , so the activity could be diverted to a safe area. 

Following fundraising parties and public hearings at meetings of the Capitola City Council, Mayor Mike Termini will unveil a drawn mock-up of the park at a , located in the temporary buildings sandwiched between Monterey Park and . 

The mayor organized the meeting because neighbors of Monterey Park, where the skate park is set to be constructed, "felt unnoticed in the process," Termini told Capitola-Soquel Patch.

"I've met with some small groups of neighbors already and their biggest concern is the size of the park and the number of features and level of difficulty in the park, because those are noise producers," Termini said.

A large conceptual drawing of the park will be presented at the meeting, and anyone in attendance will have the chance to offer thoughts on the proposed design. Termini said organizers will also stake out the park with flags to show exactly where it will be located.

"Don't be concerned about the drawing," he said. "It's merely conceptual. This is our first go 'round."

There will not be any grinding rails, which Termini said are incredibly loud, and also augment the difficulty level of the park past the intended target age group.

"We want it scaled down in size and complexity," he said.

Stay tuned to Capitola-Soquel Patch for coverage of the skate park meeting.

Do you support the idea of a beginner's park in Capitola? Will you be at the meeting tonight? Tell us in the comments!