CELEBRATE WESTSIDE COSTA MESA WITH A CULTURE PARK

Westside Costa Mesa is known for its cultural diversity. Part of that identity includes our Urban skate and art community. A Westside Culture Park is a positive and inclusive way to give a voice to our skaters and artists.

Skate Spot: Westside Costa Mesa is full of skaters in all age groups who should have a place to enjoy open space. Because the landscape of our Westside community is built out, we have no safe locations for teens to skate. The city is spending over $30 million to give us a new library and improve the Lion’s Park. Unfortunately, the design of the play area is focused on recreation for much younger children, and not suitable for our growing skate community. Teens living around the Lion’s Park, Shalimar, and Anaheim St. neighborhoods are too far away from the Volcom Skate Park in the Mesa Del Mar. Those fortunate enough to access Volcom often wait over an hour just to skate for a few minutes due to the high concentration of users. To address this growing need in our Westside we would like the city to repurpose the garden area in front of the Downtown Aquatic Center and old Library building. (See Photos reflecting the proposed changes)

Sculpture Garden: Westside Costa Mesa has a growing culture of artists seeking inclusivity and connectedness. Showcasing their art is a positive way to demonstrate a part of our community’s identity. The garden in front of the Aquatic area is rarely used and could be made into a gathering place where neighbors can learn about various artists, artists may hold paint classes, or engage the public with other artistic activities.

Community Free Wall: A confined legal space with a dedicated wall where visual artists or kids can paint positive art and publicly express themselves. A free wall to be shared and constantly painted over. The city decides rules of use to ensure the process remains respectful and inclusive.