Skate Park Attendance Drops 50%, Officials Say

Attendance at L.A.’s only skate park, in Encino, has dropped about 50% since officials began enforcing a city ordinance requiring skateboarders to wear protective gear.

Pedlow Field Skate Park, which opened in February, was drawing several hundred skaters a week, but many refused to wear the required helmets or knee and elbow pads despite requests from park rangers.

Two weeks ago, a security fence was completed, with a single entry that allows rangers to crack down on people not wearing safety gear.

Instead of 50 to 60 skaters using the bowl on a typical Saturday or Sunday, attendance is down to 20 to 30, said Kevin Regan, regional superintendent of operations with the Department of Recreation and Parks.