Skate Park Moves Closer To Reality Reef’s Dad's Community Involvement

The idea grew to fruition in October of 2013. What began as a small group of Valley Center residents trying to make a dream a reality, took on its own driving force within the community.

Adults and Kids Alike Enjoy the Temporary Ramp

The people rallied together and with a temporary ramp is in place, the first fundraiser for the Valley Center Skate Park demonstrated what parental love can accomplish. “Come out to Support our Youth and Help Make Change Happen!” was the theme of the day.

Zack Smith Enjoys His Turn On The Ramp

If there were any doubts regarding the need for a skate park in Valley Center, the well-attended fundraiser proved there is a real thirst among the local skateboarding community. More than 300 people showed up for the all-day event to skate, win raffle prizes, and meet pro skaters like Jake Brown and Neal Mims.

The Valley Center Parks and Recreation District Board approved usage of the property under the condition that the skaters join an association or create a nonprofit by the end of the year to cover liability. It is estimated that $60,000 to $80,000 is needed to build the skate park.

Mouse*, Reef Indy and Zack pose at the Autograph Session

Reef Indy’s Dad (Zack) is a devoted skateboarder. In the last four months, he has been dedicated to the progress of the Valley Center Skate Park. On 02/08/2014, they completed the second twelve-yard pour thanks to all the donators of time, money, and/or material.

“It has been a great experience to help with this Skate Park. We still have a lot more work to do, but one more pour and some pool coping and we will have a skate-able piece of concrete for the kids and of course, the adults!!!” Zack explained with a chuckle.

New Dad, and owner of Zack Smith Plumbing and Contracting, Zack has not only donated his time and money, but his construction expertise to this worthwhile project.

Photos From The Second Pour

IMPORTANT:

The Valley Center Skate Park is made possibly completely by donations! If anyone needs a donation sheet please let us know!!! You can email the author of this post at aellen@promotorsports1.com.

Your donations are tax-deductible. The Skate Park is not just for skaters! It has become a friendly a place to hang with friends and family.

*Mouse is a local North County San Diego artist that's been making sick stenciled grip for a few years now.

Will Reef Enjoy SkateboardingLike Dad Zack?

Reef's Dad has been skateboarding for over twenty years.  Skateboarding provides flexibility, increases coordination and builds cardiovascular stamina! Oma wonders if Reef Indy Enjoy Skateboarding Like Dad Zack.

Daddy Zack and Baby Reef
enjoy their day at the Skate Park.

Reef Indy at the Valley CenterSkate Park Fundraiser

A beautiful SoCal Saturday - Skateboarding at the Park

Skateboarding is a 2.5-billion dollar industry and has become a vital part of urban communities. A skatepark can attract skateboarding tourists and with national health issues looming for today’s youth, it’s time to offer a greater number of healthy, athletic choices.

Healthy fun for kids of all ages!

In 2006, 42 people riding skateboards died. Of those, 40 of them were not in a skatepark and 27 of those involved a motor vehicle. In other words, of these 42 deaths, 40 of them might have been prevented had the person been skating in a skatepark instead of the streets.

Activism and change come in a variety of venues. To truly create social change, activism must happen locally as well as nationally. It can happen in small, everyday actions as well as creative ways using large-scale or far reaching venues like the media or social networking. 

Opa With Reef Indy

It is never too early to instill a sense of community awareness and activism in a child.

Reef Indy came out to ‘Support our Youth and Help Make Change Happen’ at 28246 Lilac Road Valley Center CA 92082.

Reef Indy Goes Skateboarding

Yesterday was Reef Indy’s first real outing. Mom and Dad took Reef to the Pala Skate Park. Dad really loves to skate.

Since opening in April 2008, the Pala Skatepark has been providing skateboarders with a safe, fun place to skateboard.

The park was designed by award-winning skatepark designer Wally Hollyday and features rails, drops, ramps as well as a carved out bowl modeled after an abandoned pool that was a favorite of local skateboarders in the 80s and 90s.

The Pala Band of Mission Indians invested $570,000 to build the park at the Jim Banks sports complex off Pala Mission Road in Pala, CA.

Of course Reef was sporting his Van’s.

It was a long but fun day; Daddy and Reef found time for a nap.

Look Out Addy Pastrana - Reef Indy is already at the Skatepark.