Noel Lashley
I am sickened. I honestly cannot believe that an idea of a skate park
in Laguna could be such a headache.
Actually, I can believe it. Laguna can bring on a severe migraine
sometimes. There's a "no throwing a Frisbee" law and the soon-to-be
"no smoking on the beach" law. I can deal with these laws, but I
cannot deal with the fact that a skate park is too much to ask for.
Skateboarding is great exercise. To the older generation, here's
an analogy: Skateboarding is like tennis, you get a workout and you
are having fun. Except you have a ton of these concrete areas and we
have none.
Now people who enjoy skateboarding should have the resources as
well. The ACT V parking lot didn't work as a location, nor did Big
Bend. I can live with that, but now people are complaining that the
dogs and skate boarders won't get along. This is the most ridiculous
thing I've heard since the skate park became a thought years ago. the
dog park is a perfect location. Skateboards are not that loud.
Poodles bark louder than a pari of trucks sliding across the coping.
Skateboarders remain in the enclosed skate park. Dogs run around
and sniff other dogs in the dog park. Skateboarders sometimes own
dogs as well. Some people who own dogs smoke cigarettes and yes, they
smoke at the dog park next to the same dry hill that the skate park
would be built at.
I have heard for years now that the YMCA wants to build this skate
park. Sadly, there are too many whiners in this town who would detest
just about anything that doesn't benefit themselves.
Now the park at Top of the World is the new location being
discussed. Sadly, this location won't work because complaints about
noise or that skateboarding is too punk rock for the conservative
neighbors will arise.
I don't want to drive out of town to skate, but I suppose I will
have to because this town is just too lame to have a measly skate
park. I have an idea, we should build a cracker and cheese barn so
people can gather and whine.
* NOEL LASHLEY is a Laguna Beach resident.
