CHULA VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) - A skate park that was once riddled with graffiti is getting a grand homecoming in the South Bay.
The City of Chula Vista will hold a grand reopening of the Len Moore Skate Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with raffles, prizes., local vendors, live music, and demonstrations by skating pros.
The Boys and Girls Club closed the park last August due to costly maintenance and repair issues. This led to the organization giving up the park to the city.
Since that time, though, vandalism and graffiti became a constant concern, which led to the park's reopening in February. City officials will now monitor the park for cleanliness and graffiti.
"Before the city could actually open it up there were some minor maintenance things that we needed to take care of. There were some ramps that needed to be taken out and demolished. There was a lot of graffiti," Gil Contreras, principal recreations manager with the City of Chula Vista, said.
Community members had a say in the park's reopening as well. A series of community meetings asked the public what they wanted out of the park, the priority being the ability to skate for free. The park will also offer skate classes, day camps, and birthday party rentals.
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"We definitely took everything into consideration when reopening the park. [Community members] were concerned about the graffiti and the vandalism and things like that," Contreras said. "We did reassure them ... we have park rangers who frequently visit all of our parks. We have a staff who actually comes through every day and just kind of gets an idea and looks at everything and talks to the patrons."
Since February's reopening, Contreras says all the city has received are positive remarks.
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk to skateboarding, BMX bikes, scooters, in-line skating, and roller skating. All skaters must wear a helmet, and elbow and knee pads at all times.
Contreras says the city will continue to look at elements skaters desire at the park to expand the park's offerings.
"This park is for everybody and we want to make sure everybody in Chula Vista can enjoy it," he added.
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