Breathing In LA: LA in '84 to P-Rod today: Ritchie Valens Skatepark Hits LA

The following post is from YouthNoise Play City—a community dedicated to changing the world through sports and play. PLAY ON!

THE FLAME CONTINUES
The year was 1984 and the City of Los Angeles was in an uproar. The Olympic Games had come to town and would change the face of our city forever. A quarter century later, the spirit of those Games still lingers and continues to put a smile on the face of Angelenos both young and old.

Remnants of the Games, murals like these still salt the city.

When all was said and done, the medals given, the athletes gone, the Los Angeles Olympic Games had become one of the most financially successful in history, earning a surplus of over $230 million. A portion of this money was used to seed the LA84 Foundation, which has been a major advocate and coordinator of youth sports programs in the City for over twenty years.

Most recently LA84 teamed with Nike SB and the City of LA Dept. of Recreation & Parks to push forward yet another endeavor fueled by the lasting spirit of the games:

THE RITCHIE VALENS
SKATEPARK

in
Pacoima California.

Still under construction, the park is set to open on June 21, 2009 (which also happens to be International Go Skateboarding Day and Father's Day). So bring your board, your dad, or both and come celebrate at the new skatepark!

A number of cool peeps will be present, including P-Rod, a home-grown talent of the valley, and the Nike Skateboarding Team. Now you should know that Nike Folks never come empty-handed to a party -- like a true pachanga in the valley, there's bound to be music, giveaways and food!

A SKATE PARK LIES AHEAD
The new Skatepark is located on the same grounds as the Ritchie Valens Community Center and is part of a huge green area that also houses basketball courts, a multi-use field, tennis courts, a pool, and a gymnasium.

One happy resident and local community activist, Tony Alcala, said that he's been working with Councilmember Richard Alarcon for a few years to have an area built for local skaters at the current site. He continued, "Up until recently they've been using the planters and steps near the front of the park [to practice]."

Above, left, is where the skaters used to chill and practice. On the right, their new home awaits completion.

Approximately 50-60 youth visit the current location daily and demand is growing. Tony added that the nearest skatepark, Pedlow, is a few miles away and that that's why a lot of the locals are stoked. "There's a need for places like this in the community, a place for youth to hang out after school, to stay out of trouble, and do what they love" says Alcala.

It's on its way, baby!