The City Council approved a contract with Grindline Skateparks on January 23 to design and construct the Westpark Skatepark Expansion Project. The agreement is the City’s first-ever design-build contract and will increase the facility’s size by more than six times from 3,200 square feet to 20,000 square feet.
In 2022, the City received a $2 million grant from the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP) to expand the 29-year-old skatepark at 450 W. Harrison Avenue.
“Skateboarding is an iconic outdoor recreational sport in California, and our local community has long vocalized a desire to improve our skateparks,” said Mayor Joe Schroeder. “Once this project is completed, it will be one of the best in the region, attracting locals and visitors alike.”
The City conducted seven public meetings in 2019 and 2020 to gain the community’s feedback and insights into what elements they would like upgraded at the skatepark. After the City was awarded the grant, two additional meetings were hosted to help staff develop criteria for a Request for Proposals (RFP). The RFP sought qualified skatepark design-build companies who could incorporate the community’s feedback into their proposals.
Grindline Skateparks has been operating for over 20 years, since 2002, and is based in Seattle, Washington. They have designed and constructed over 300 successful Skatepark projects nationally and internationally. Regional examples of their work can be skated in Anaheim, Bakersfield, Oceanside, and San Diego.
“We’re excited to move into the next phase of this project and bring the community’s vision to life,” said Parks & Recreation Director Nancy O’Connor. “This project not only provides an upgraded design to the park, but also improves access to the park, additional landscaping, public art elements, and new lighting.”
The City will host two more community meetings in the coming months to gather public feedback to create the skatepark’s final design. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the Westpark Community Center.
This project is managed by the City of Ventura Parks & Recreation Department in partnership with Pacific Coast Land Design Inc. Project funding is provided by the Statewide Parks Development and Community Revitalization Program, California Department of Parks & Recreation, and California Natural Resources Agency.
Learn more about the Westpark Skatepark Expansion Project and upcoming community meetings at www.westparkskatepark.com.
