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Etnies Skate Park says 50,000 annual visits, will run Snowfest on Jan. 25
Summary
City of Lake Forest staff told the Community Services Commission that Etnies Skate Park draws thousands annually, reported program and participation numbers for the most recent quarter, and will take over the city's Snowfest event on Jan. 25 at Pittsford Park.
Scott Stewart, the City of Lake Forest's senior recreation supervisor, told the Community Services Commission on Jan. 8 that Etnies Skate Park is a 62,000-square-foot facility and one of the largest skate parks in California. He said the park opened Dec. 13, 2003, averages about 75 daily users and records roughly 50,000 visits a year, counting both participants and spectators.
"This park is really an epicenter for the active sports community," Stewart said, describing year-round programs that include camps, group and private lessons, competitions and birthday parties. He said staff sold out several camps this quarter and listed quarter figures including about 6,000 open-skate visits and 300 camp participants; he also reported 82 group-lesson participants, roughly 30 private-lesson participants, and a social-media reach of about 240,000 on Instagram.
Kevin Fernandez, recreation supervisor, told commissioners the skate-park team has increased outreach and online engagement to stay current with skateboarding's social-media culture. "We just try to be modern and keep up with the times," Fernandez said, describing online contests, event promotion and community engagement that, he said, attract attention beyond the region.
Stewart and Fernandez described recent events including a Night of the Living Shred Halloween event, year-round camps that sold out, and ongoing lessons. They also announced that skate-park staff will take over production of Snowfest for 2025 following a departmental restructuring: "This year is like a passing of the torch," Stewart said.
Snowfest details provided to the commission say the event will be Jan. 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Pittsford Park. Advance tickets are required; staff said there will be three session times, sledding and snow-play activities, music, carnival games and food vendors. Staff offered commissioners VIP passes and reserved parking for the event.
Commissioners and members of the public asked operational questions about park maintenance and safety. Stewart said staff monitor weather and park conditions, clean debris as needed and will close the facility if hazards are present. He also said the park recently had trees trimmed to reduce wind-blown debris.
A volunteer in the audience offered to help with Snowfest; Stewart thanked the speaker and invited more volunteers. The presentation closed with Stewart's lighthearted advice: "Don't eat yellow snow."
