Skateboarding community urges the City of El Centro to reopen skatepark

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY)-A local skateboarder born and raised in El Centro, is urging city leaders to reopen the city's skatepark.

In a meeting Tuesday evening, Blake Corfman, who deals with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) said the skatepark is an outlet for him and other skaters of the community.

The skatepark closed in March due to the pandemic and has remained closed, meanwhile other city parks like Bucklin Park remain open.

“You say you can not open the skatepark, but leave Bucklin open with signs of social distancing, which is open mornings and evenings. We skateboarders matter and you are failing us," said Blake Corfman, El Centro resident.

“It’s what keeps me stable. Not just me, but all my friends that I know. Like when we are having a bad day, the thing that helps us is getting it out on the skateboard and it’s been like that since we were kids," said Corfman.

The city council says parks like Bucklin allow space for social distancing and the skatepark does not.

Corfman argued that the skatepark was outside and is big enough to social distance.

“We wish that we were able to open this facility. The skatepark because of the nature of the activities and the limited space is not really conducive to social distancing," said Efrain Silva, El Centro mayor.

The mayor said the closure was influenced by pressure from the state to tighten up restrictions, following money received from California to help with the virus’s financial impact.

“The city of El Centro received close to $600,000 to mitigate those financial impacts, by accepting the money the city is expected to follow and adhere to all the state guidelines related to COVID," said Silva.

Corfman says the city should prioritize mental health above state funding.

The city of El Centro says the park will remain closed, but they hope to open it as soon as state guidelines are loosened.