Damaged portion of Mountain Ridge Skate Park will cost $20K to fix
Northwest Las Vegas-area skaters will have to find another place to shred over the summer as the Mountain Ridge Skate Park, 7151 Oso Blanca Road, deals with recent acts of vandalism.
On April 25, city of Las Vegas staff members discovered that the start ramp and surrounding vegetation at the park, 7151 Oso Blanca Road, had been burned, and the ramp is unsafe to repair. There was also fire damage to the adjacent landscaping.
“There are other skate parks in the city and county,” said Jace Radke, spokesman for the city. “We find that skate parks are an amenity that are very popular with teens and even younger kids.”
The area of the vandalism is fenced off but should be reopened by August, assuming there is no further damage, he said.
Radke said new equipment would be needed. He estimated the cost at $20,000.
More than half the skate park is still usable.
This skate park is heavily used by neighborhood youths, and the criminal behavior is costing them recreational opportunities and costing all the residents money to repair the damage, according to Las Vegas Mayor Pro Tem Steve Ross.
Joey Esteban, 25, a local skateboarder and sales associate at Pharmacy Boardshop, said he doesn’t believe skaters are to blame for the damages.
“You can’t pin it on the skateboarders,” Esteban said. “People need to remember that rollerbladers and bikers use the parks, too. I think it was probably some reckless, younger kids who did it. They don’t think about the consequences as much.”
City marshals are investigating the incident. No arrests have been made.
The park, including the skate park, opened in March 2001 and cost approximately $3 million to build.
While Radke said it is normal to have some graffiti and minor repairs at parks, these are the only instances of vandalism of this scale at Mountain Ridge Skate Park that the maintenance workers can remember.
City staff members urge the public to be on the lookout for any acts of vandalism.
Residents are encouraged to call the Las Vegas Public Safety office at 702-229-6444, option 1, to reach the deputy marshals’ dispatcher to report vandalism and request assistance.
“This park has been a great asset to the community, and it’s disappointing that individuals have decided to destroy it,” Ross said. “We need the community to be our eyes and ears in our parks, and if you see something, say something by calling our city marshals.”
To reach North View reporter Sandy Lopez, email slopez@viewnews.com or call 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.
To report vandalism
Residents are encouraged to call the Las Vegas Public Safety office at 702-229-6444, option 1, to reach the deputy marshals’ dispatcher to report vandalism and request assistance.
