When people get together to create something purely to benefit our youth and society in general, it may be difficult to believe that there would be opposition. So far Councilwoman Janice Hahn and Casey Wasserman (Wasserman Media Group), have been pushing the concept of a Skate Park built in a vacant lot - 40 yards from The Watts Towers.
With early help from Tony Hawk, and fundraising already underway, plans have been drawn up by Colby Carter (California Skateparks) as pro-bono work. These figures are collectively pushing for a change in the city to benefit our youth with a healthy alternative to drugs, gangs, and crime in general.
Hahn's logic in picking the site was not about having the right size lot to build.
"We were looking at a lot of other places. [Watts Towers] is a neutral, gang-free area, and those are few and far between. We had to look for a territory that's not owned by a gang."
The final answer will be up to the city officials, some of which have already expressed their doubts, debating the benefits of building a skatepark so close to their cherished landmark. Some like the idea, but are wary of the noise and clamor, possible attraction of drugs and graffiti artists, etc.
A major skate park elsewhere in Watts could be "something wonderful," said Janine Watkins, a community activist who owns a house by the towers. But "this is a tourism destination, a national historical landmark, and the city should be treating it as such. The towers should be their golden egg."
Colby Carter's design of the park was inspired by the Towers. Three circular areas that shadow the three towers to work harmoniously together.
Personally, I see this project as something great for the community, and a great way to bring traffic to the Towers. In no way would tourists be turned off by seeing the youth skateboarding in a controlled environment. This would be a great way to catch a glimpse of the city as an active, breathing community. Skateboarding is an art form and promotes unity as well as individuality. This is a direct alternative to gangs and drugs. Gangs unite and fight to individualize their clique. Drugs are used socially and recreationally before it becomes an addiction.
I'm not going to say if you skateboard you don't do drugs. I know skaters that drink, smoke, and partake in recreational drugs all the time. I also know skaters that don't do any of the things I just listed. Either way, skateboarding creates focus on something that requires dedication, skill, judgment, and creativity. Try smoking crack and skateboarding - it doesn't work.
Skateboarding is an expression, and with every new trick, gap, rail, comes an accomplishment. With accomplishment comes progression, and with progression the possibilities of a brighter future solidifies itself in the present.
Did I mention that all of this is actually fun and possibly dangerous?
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