CONEJO PARKS DISTRICT TO WEIGH 3 SITES FOR 2 SKATING FACILITIES.

Byline: Sonia Giordani / Daily News Staff Writer

Struggling to balance the public's safety against kids' tendency to play, the Conejo Recreation and Park District board tonight will consider a plan to place portable skateboard and in-line skating areas at two parks.

In Thousand Oaks and most surrounding communities, area skaters are prohibited from practicing their sport in most public areas, including shopping centers, school grounds and park playgrounds. Skaters face steep fines for breaking local laws banning skates and skateboards.

The district hopes to provide a temporary solution to the skaters' dilemma by installing portable ramps, jumps, rails and obstacle courses at two of the following locations: the basketball court at Borchard Community Park; Thousand Oaks Community Park; or the front parking lot area at the Thousand Oaks Teen Center.

``Obviously, skating is something the kids enjoy, and we need to address that and provide some outlet for them,'' said Jesse Washington, administrator of the district's recreation and community services division.

The skating areas would have fixed hours and be supervised by district staff to ensure safety rules are followed and safety equipment is worn, Washington said.

The temporary facilities would cost an estimated $2,750, including $1,200 for equipment, according to a district report.

The district has included an $80,000 skating facility in its 1998-99 proposed budget, said Karan Lindsey, recreation services manager with the Conejo Recreation and Park District.

Lindsey said one of the major issues delaying the construction of such a facility is the liability the district assumes for any accidents that may occur while skating or skateboarding.

Two proposed bills that would limit liability of public parks and other city agencies for skating accidents currently are being negotiated in the state Legislature.

In the meantime, park officials hope the temporary facilities will provide safe and fun areas for local skaters to practice their sport.

``We have an average of 25 to 30 kids each day skating here,'' said Dennis Gass, recreation supervisor at Borchard Community Park. He said local students usually stop at the park after school and regularly ask about plans for a designated skating areas.

In Atascadero, the city's recreation and park district has run a similar facility since March 1996 and found it to be successful, said Geoff English, recreation supervisor with Atascadero.

The skating area is located in a public park in the downtown area and is open every day for designated hours. Staff members bring the portable ramps out each morning and roll them back into storage sheds when the park is closed, English said.

English said the park's liability for accidents on its premises is limited through waiver forms signed by skaters and their guardians.

English added that the city mandated that a sign be posted in the skating area that warns that the first lawsuit generated by a skating accident at the park will result in the park's closure.