The increasing popularity of skateboarding in Goleta, along with the efforts of the Goleta Skateboarding Movement, have led to the proposed design of a tempo- rary skate park in the city, which will become permanent if the structure generates enough interest.

Formed in 2012, Goleta Skateboarding Movement is a nonprofit organization that seeks to support the building of skateboarding parks in the Goleta Valley. The orga- nization is currently raising funds to build a temporary skate park at the Goleta Valley Community Center. If the temporary park is popular enough with skaters, the city of Goleta will construct a permanent park in the same loca- tion.

As part of their fundraising process, the Goleta Skateboarding Movement hosted a benefit concert for the development of Goleta and Carpentaria skate parks. Last Friday, local punks bands ¡La Vasa! and Mongo performed alongside Duane Peters Gunfight to raise money for the skateboarding cause. The organization will continue to hold events to raise money and increase com- munity support for the project.

Public Information Officer for the City of Goleta Valerie Kushnerov said originally the public support for a Goleta skate park prompted the city to take construction plans into consideration, and the project has been in the works for over a year now.

“The Old Town Park has a proposed design plan which includes a skate plaza as well as a number of other amenities,” Kushnerov said. “This plan is the result of a great deal of public input over the last 12-18 months.”

Before the park can be built, the City of Goleta must review and approve the proposed construction plans, Kushnerov said.

The temporary skate park at the community center will serve as a testing ground, measuring the public’s interest in skate parks. If the park attracts community members, possible skate parks can begin to open at the Page Youth Center, Girsh Park and on city-owned airport property.

While the skate park in Isla Vista does serve students, undeclared freshman Alicia Carpenter said that the park will provide another outlet for skaters looking to improve their skills.

“Although there are some skateboard lanes here on the UCSB campus, it’s a different way for people to skate — not just for travel, but for tricks…[It would give students] a safe place to go that’s well-lit and protected,” Carpenter said. “Based on the amount of students that skateboard here on campus, I think that it’s something that will benefit the community. It’s what’s popular right now… I would check it out.”

A version of this article appeared on page 3 of January 17th, 2013’s print edition of the Nexus.