Skatepark coming to San Luis

Doing tricks in parking lots in San Luis, Ariz., will no longer be necessary for skateboarder Yonathan Gutierrez and his friends once a new skatepark is built within the next several months.

With the city officially announcing the skatepark's construction during a groundbreaking at Cabello Park in San Luis last week, Gutierrez said he and his friends are excited that their requested park will finally be a reality.

San Luis Police Sgt. Ernesto Lugo, who is the executive director of the police athletic league, said San Luis youngsters generally have no place to ride their skateboards other than at store parking lots and residential streets where it is unsafe.

"It's a safety issue and a hazard for them," Lugo said.

Lugo said the league, a San Luis committee formed to promote athletics in San Luis for youths, is hoping to start construction of the park in April and to finish the first phase of the park in about two or three months.

The league, city officials, parks and recreation officials and the young skateboarders have been involved in planning the park.

"The main objective is to provide kids with a location where they can practice whatever they do with skateboards," Lugo said. "And keep them off the streets."