> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Retro-fit: Skatepark lets loose - URL: https://www.smdp.com/retro-fit-skatepark-lets-loose/ - Published: 2005-06-18T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T07:16:02.000Z - Author: Ryan Hyatt - Tags: local, Mid-City, #archive-import *‘Dogs’ of summer land back on wheels* MID-CITY — School’s out for the summer, but Santa Monica skaters have a new destination where they can drop in. The city of Santa Monica opened the Cove Skatepark on Friday, named after the Santa Monica surf spot that many Dogtown and Z-Boy skaters frequented in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The 20,000-square-foot facility includes ramps, bowls, stairs, a skate pool with tile and coping, an over-vertical bowl and the Douglas Park rail — a stair rail made famous in 1990s skate videos that was salvaged from demolition. More than 400 people attended Friday’s opening, in which guests enjoyed food, music and demonstrations by professional skaters and bike riders. Among those honoring the opening of the park were the famous Dogtown and Z-Boy skaters themselves, with the men passing out autographed mats and photos. Simon, 9, who lives in Santa Monica, tucked on his white helmet before heading into the fenced skating area. “I’m glad this (park) is opened, because we’ve had no good places to skate in the area,” Simon said. “Now we do.” Simon was accompanied by three friends, whose parents drove them up from San Pedro to enjoy the day’s festivities. The Cove is located in Memorial Park near the corner of 14th Street and Olympic Boulevard and will offer both skating and biking during separate hours. In July, the skatepark is scheduled to be open every day of the month, broken into three sessions from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and closed off for 15-minute breaks in between. Skaters must be 6 or older, and register by obtaining an identification card, sign a waiver and paying for a membership or day use. A day pass for resident youths up to ages 18 is $3\. Adults pay $5 per day. Also available are quarterly passes, which run for three months and cost $20 for resident youths and $35 for adults. The facility was designed and built by Wally Hollyday and California Skateparks for $550,000\. The group is known for the skating facilities it has produced in Fontana and Lakewood, Calif., and Nashville, Tenn. Designers said the Cove is the result of an extensive skatepark survey and included input from skaters and bikers of all ages. Richard Jefferson, 24, who is sponsored by Maui & Sons, flew in from San Francisco to show his tricks to skate enthusiasts. Jefferson, who noted that San Francisco opened its first skatepark two years go, said he learned to skate on the streets. “This is great for this community,” Jefferson said, who has been skating for 11 years and professionally for three. “Others are not as fortunate to have something like this.” > “This is great for this community. Others are not as fortunate to have something like this.” — RICHARD JEFFERSON Professional skateboarder ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/061805-01_04.jpg) to the Daily Press Pro skaters put the newly opened Cove Skatepark to the test on Friday, taking advantage of 20,000 feet of ramps, bowls, stairs and even a refurbished stair rail. (Photo: Fabian Lewkowicz/Special) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/061805-01_06.jpg) to the Daily Press A pro skater wows the crowd on Friday at Cove Skatepark, located adjacent to Memorial Park. (Photo: Fabian Lewkowicz/Special) *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 18, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/061805.pdf?ref=smdp.com)