Peter Bonning’s always been a skater.
But while pushing four wheels in a town without a skatepark, he’s always found himself rolling into trouble.
“We grew up being told that we couldn’t skate,” the Carpinteria native said.
Bonning, 30, wants to make sure local skaters can have a place to call their own. So about a year ago, Bonning, along with life-long friends Jason Campbell and Jason Lesh, kick-started the non-profit Carpinteria Skate Foundation. The trio, friends since kindergarden at Canalino School, is raising money through public and private grants with its goals set on building a fully-functional skate park within the next five years.
“We want to give the youth a place where they can express themselves physically,” said Bonning.
Carpinteria High School student Evan Silk, 17, couldn’t agree more. Silk said that a skate park is needed because his frequent run-ins with the cops have made skating a tiresome sport.
“Everywhere we happen to skate, we happen to get in trouble from the police,” said Silk.
If he wants to avoid the boys in blue, Silk said that he and his friends skate the local schools after hours.
Here's a conceptual image of the proposed skate park in Carpinteria.
A special meeting will be held on Jan. 23 where Bonning and the crew will present conceptual sketches of the park to city council for approval. Designs for the park include skatable art, traditional ramps, urban replicas and barbecue pits.
Monte Vista Park, Memorial Park and the 5th Street lot near the Amtrak station are all possible locations. Bonning said the 5th Street location – near Carpinteria State Beach – would be ideal because it allows easy access for everyone.
“This park will draw people through the heart of Carpinteria,” said Bonning.
Bonning also thinks that a new skate park could create a year-round revenue stream for the city.
“People from out of town will come visit our park, and shop in our stores,” said Bonning.
So far, feedback from county officials has been positive.
Matt Roberts, Director of Parks and Recreation in Carpinteria, thinks that skateboarding as a sport has withstood the test of time, and that the idea of a local skate park is very possible.
“Skateboarding has proven itself to be a durable interest,” said Roberts. “A skate park would be well used today – and tomorrow.”
Those interested in donating or learning more about a Carpinteria skatepark, visit carpskatepark.org for more details.
