City explores building big skate park

Site would replace demolished one

Shapiro said using basin as a skate park isn't common but has been done successfully in Houston and would work in Vista.

A large, modern skate park would add to the legacy of the skateboarding scene in Vista, a city that produced famed skateboarders Danny Way, Matt Hensley and Steve Ortega.

Some in the skating community have complained that while the city is quick to tear down a park, it's been slower to provide them an alternative.

“There is a huge demand for a new skate park,” said Jason Ehrengruber, 29, who owns Decade Board Sports in Vista. He estimated perhaps 500 skateboarders live in Vista, many too young to drive.

“Skateboarding put Vista on the map. These kids (who skateboard) a lot of them don't have transportation to get to Oceanside. They build 20 baseball fields, but they won't build a skate park. The kids need a place just to do something positive.”

Rick Rogers: (760) 476-8212;


