Half-pipe dreams

Story and photos by
Caroline Limuti

Long Beach's first skatepark is now open in El Dorado park. The park, designed by skateboarders, has been in the works for more than three years.

Fifth grader Jordan Vititow, 10, takes advantage of the skate park's cement walls and practices his high flying kickflip.

Councilman Mike Donelon was one of the people who helped to organize the creation of the skate park.

"I am really impressed. It's great for kids. It's great just to be a part of it," Donelon said.

The skatepark is not just for children though. Professional skater Ricky Styles, 30, was one of only a handful of adults using the park. Styles, who is sponsored by Smith Sunglasses, Independent, and SpitFire, among others, says the El Dorado skatepark is as good as professional skateparks.

"The transitions are really nice. They are not so rugged and are easy to skate on," said Amanda Pentecost, 15, one of the teenagers involved with the park's construction.