Popular Santa Maria skate park removed for renovations

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- The skate park at Fletcher Park in Santa Maria has recently been removed for upcoming renovations.

Visitors to the popular recreation area located near the busy Crossroads Center will find an empty concrete pad, as well as the surrounding fencing removed.

According to the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, all of the skateboarding equipment, such as the ramps and rails have been taken off site for a scheduled inspection project.

"The skate park ramps all got pulled up," said Dennis Smitherman, Recreation Services Manager. "We periodically inspect them for real structural damage and any types of concerns that we may have. It is a routine project, while they are constantly undergoing visual kinds of inspections, this one is going to be more in-depth."

Plans are now in the works to renovate the facility, including potentially installing a new ramp configuration and other improvements.

"The city is really excited about looking for potentially new ramps," said Smitherman. "While we're currently inspecting the old ramps and making sure that they're safe, we're looking also too include some new ramps for the skate park. We'll be working with the community, and hopefully, the users of the skate park to really help us put something together."

The estimated time for completion is sometime this summer.

Two city has installed two banners in the park that read, 'Bringing You A New Recreation Experience!' on fencing along South College Drive and Southside Parkway.

While the banners announce the upcoming renovations at the three-acre park, there is no signage in the immediate area around the skate park, leading some people to wonder what is happening to the skating area.

The adjacent basketball court, as well as other recreational amenities at Fletcher Park, including the playground equipment, barbecue pit and picnic seating area all remain open.