PUBLIC INVITED TO WEIGH IN ON PROPOSED SKATEBOARD PLAZA AT WATTS TOWERS

Mike Boehm of the Los Angeles Times reports that the public has been invited to express its opinion on whether or not it supports the construction of “a state-of-the-art skateboard plaza in the shadow of the Watts Towers.” Sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and coordinated by its nonprofit planning partner, the Trust for Public Land, the purpose of the event is to gather as much information as possible from the community about an issue that has been “simmering since 2009.” Those opposing the proposed plaza argue that the towers deserve to be seen in “serenity” and “not amid noise and bustle from a skate park.” Proponents of the skate park—which has been “pushed hard” by councilwoman Janice Hahn before her election to congress and is now back by her successor Joe Buscaino—contend that “Watts desperately needs good recreational facilities and that the towers triangle is one of the few patches of public land not claimed by street gangs.” Additionally, the plaza would be free of cost to the city, as the Tony Hawk Foundation has raised the funds to completely cover the construction.