COUNCIL TO TRY AGAIN TO CHOOSE PARK FOR SKATEBOARDING, SKATING.

Byline: Lee Condon Staff Writer

Local skateboarders are expected to turn out in force Tuesday as the Glendale City Council once again takes up the issue of siting a skate park.

In June, the council nixed plans to build a place for skaters and skateboards in Montrose Park because of complaints from members of the Montecito Park Homeowners Association. The homeowners said the park is too small to include a skating attraction and they feared traffic and parking problems.

On Tuesday, the Glendale Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is scheduled to give the council new suggestions on potential sites for a skate park.

The department also will advise the council to lease prefabricated skate ramps and other components to create a temporary facility before a permanent skate park is selected.

The department staff has estimated it would take 60 to 90 days to obtain the components for a temporary facility that could serve skaters and skateboarders for 12 to 18 months before a permanent facility opens.

A temporary skate park would likely be made out of wood or a lightweight synthetic while the permanent site would be concrete.

In a report to the council, parks director Nello Iacono recommended two potential sites for a temporary skate park:

A parking lot owned by the city in the downtown area at Orange and Colorado streets. The lot is one of the parcels the city bought as part of plans to develop Town Center, a major retail project for the downtown area;

In a small parking lot at the south end of Verdugo Park next to Stengel Field.

For a permanent facility Iacono recommends:

The southwest quadrant of Griffith Manor Park site at 1551 Flower St. The three-acre site is surrounded by industrial businesses.

In Verdugo Park, either at the south end by Stengel Field or at a grassy area south of the park's playground and west of the volleyball court.

Councilman David Weaver voted against the Montrose Park site, but said Friday he is committed to finding a site for the skate park.

``I'm looking for feedback,'' Weaver said about the staff recommendations. ``I have questions about the impact on the community and whether the kids like it.''

Scott Hounsell, a local skateboarder, said he expects many local skateboarders will be at the meeting to encourage the council to pick a site.

However, Hounsell said he is wary of a temporary park.

``A temporary site is just a way of putting it off,'' said Hounsell, 16. ``I think they are trying to test the waters, trying to see how politically correct it is to put it in certain neighborhoods.''

Hounsell said homeowners groups oppose skate parks because they are afraid of teen-agers. He said they assume the park will be used by gang members and vandalized.

``Wherever you put it, you are going to run into homeowner opposition,'' Hounsell said.

The Glendale City Council meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Glendale City Hall, 613 E. Broadway.