(Feb. 22, 2009) -- 6th dist. Councilman Dee Andrews held a community meeting with his young constituents on Saturday (Feb. 21) to discuss creating a skate park at McBride Park.

Photo credit: John Edmond

Councilman Andrews office noted in a release that the city budget [our translation: the City Council] eliminated a mobile skate park program...and says "the kids in the 6th District deserve the alternatives to the streets that skate parks provide."

Although it's the first Youth Forum on a skate park, it's part of Councilman Andrews' continuing quarterly Youth Forum series held in addition to his monthly Town Hall meetings and quarterly Senior Assemblies.

"Sometimes our youth are discredited and/or left out of important decisions that greatly affect them. With the assistance of the 6th District youth, I am hopeful that we may get such topics to the forefront. Not only will we, as a community, gain a new perspective, we will also involve and empower the younger members of our neighborhoods."

Photo credit: John Edmond

Release text and photos from Councilman Andrews' office follow:

The Councilman asked Long Beach Skate Park Program founder and former Councilman Mike Donelon to assist with the proposed skate park. Donelons' team recruited the involvement of former Long Beach pro skateboarder Ron Chatman (photo below) and Long Beach super pros Danny Montoya and Rob Gonzales.

Mr. Chatman is the first African-American pro skateboarder from Long Beach and is a graduate of Poly High and CSULB.

Pro skateboarder Ron Chatman.
Photo credit: John Edmond

Mr. Montoya grew up skateboarding in Long Beach and is one of the most recognized pro skateboarders in the country. "It's going to be very exciting working with kids in my hometown..."It's really an honor to be invited into this process by Councilman Andrews. Our concept will be to design some of the elements to replicate the best skate spots in Long Beach and use drought resistant shrubs and trees throughout the skate park. It will be one of the first urban/environmentally friendly skate parks in California and a great project for kids to be involved in."

Pro skateboarder Danny Montoya autographs a skateboard.
Photo credit: John Edmond

On April 9th 2005 the city lost one of our kids. Michael Green -- caught in gang-related gun fire -- in the 2000 block of Olive Ave. He was only 20 years old. His mom stated all he wanted to do was skate around the world. She asked the Kids present to help get there parents involved in the wonderful opportunity. Later all the professional skate boarders and the Councilman signed her t-shirt in honor of her son.

Photo by John Edmond