Venice Beach Skatepark

Venice Beach Skatepark
Map
TypeSkatepark
LocationVenice, Los Angeles
Coordinates33°59′14″N 118°28′32″W / 33.9871°N 118.4755°W / 33.9871; -118.4755
Area16,000 Sq. Ft.
OpenedOctober 2009
Operated byCity of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
TerrainConcrete

The Venice Beach Skatepark is a public skatepark located in Venice, Los Angeles. It opened in late 2009.[1][2][3][4] It is also officially known as the Dennis "Polar Bear" Agnew Memorial Skatepark, named after famed Z-Boy skater Dennis Agnew. The 16,000 square foot park is located near Windward Avenue and Ocean Front Walk street. The skate park features steps, rails, and bowls that resemble empty swimming pools. The park cost $3.4 million to build, and the funds came from the sale of surplus city property in Venice. [5]

History

Venice Beach has been host to a number of well known skate spots throughout the history of skateboarding. From the backyard bowls to the concrete plaza covered in graffiti, the landscapes of Venice, California were integral to the development of skateboarding.[6][7][8] Starting in the 2000s, a group of Venice locals, headed by Jesse Martinez, organized an effort to build the Venice Beach Skatepark.[1]

In April 2020, the park was covered in sand to discourage gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]

Venice Skate Park filled with sand during pandemic, April 2020.

References

  1. ^ a b Nieratko, Chris (2016-08-30). "The 20-Year Fight to Build a Skatepark in Venice". Vice. Archived from the original on 2019-12-02. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  2. ^ Paskin, -Julia (19 April 2020). "Why The Venice Beach Skate Park Now Looks Like This". LAist. Archived from the original on 2021-03-20. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  3. ^ "Made In Venice: Documentary Tells True Story Of Skate Community's 20-Year Battle To Build The Park". SKATE[SLATE]. 2016-08-20. Archived from the original on 2020-10-27. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  4. ^ "A guide to L.A.'s best skate parks". Los Angeles Times. 2019-06-07. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  5. ^ Vives, Ruben (2009-10-04). "Cut the ribbon, shred the course". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  6. ^ Venice Beach - Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD Wiki Guide - IGN, 18 July 2012, archived from the original on 2021-09-12, retrieved 2020-04-29
  7. ^ "Venice skate park to open". Los Angeles Times. 2009-10-03. Archived from the original on 2021-04-12. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  8. ^ "Cut the ribbon, shred the course". Los Angeles Times. 2009-10-04. Archived from the original on 2021-05-11. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  9. ^ "Venice Skate Park Covered in Sand to Ensure Social Distancing". NBC Los Angeles. Archived from the original on 2020-05-02. Retrieved 2020-05-26.


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