After success with late night activity in the Carpinteria Skate Park, the City Council approved expanding the park’s hours to allow access until 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 

Previously, the park closed 30 minutes after sunset, but due to equipment issues, the park has been lit at night since it opened in August 2023. City staff members have noticed positive use of the park into the late night hours. 

The city recently got the necessary equipment to control the lighting. However, because of the number of families visiting the park after dark, the lack of complaints, and positive feedback, the city decided to officially extend park hours, said Jeanette Gant, Carpinteria’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director. 

Peter Bonning, co-founder of the Carpinteria Skate Foundation, said they’ve hosted concerts with bands and DJs, roller skating, and fundraisers for nonprofits at the skate park. 

“The lights are really a huge asset and they really make that park what it is for the community and for the surrounding areas,” Bonning said at Monday’s City Council meeting. 

Bonning told the council that Ventura will soon be getting its own skate park, however it is not expected to have lights for nighttime use. 

“In winter it gets dark at 5:15 and then what are the children going to do when it gets dark? They’re going to go to our skate park because the city and the foundation and the community came together and made sure those lights were a part of it,” Bonning said.

Councilwoman Julia Mayer, a former board member of the Carpinteria Skate Foundation, praised the community’s support of the park.

“The testament to the community and the city’s unwavering support of the skate park is really why we’re at this place where we have zero complaints and only positive things that we hear about the skate park,” Mayer said. “It really warms my heart when I leave City Council and there’s 30 people utilizing our skate park.”

Councilwoman Mónica Solórzano said she was encouraged by the foundation’s work in the community and was supportive of allowing for more late night activity. 

“I’ve gone to some of the musical performances that Peter referenced and it is something that is really special to see, bands playing while kids and adults are skating, it’s a really great thing,” Solórzano said.