Venice Beach: Dennis Agnew Memorial Skate Park

The Dennis "Polar Bear" Agnew Memorial Skate Park came to life on October 3rd, 2009, with the vibration of hundreds of poly-urethane wheels hitting the pavement. After the Venice Pavilion was brought down in 2000, the combined efforts of Jesse Martinez and the Venice Surf and Skate Association (VSA) made the park possible; a project over ten years in the making. Since opening, Ger-I Lewis, board member of VSA, has had concerns as to whether or not supervision of the park would be granted to the city. If that were to occur, police could potentially cite skateboarders for not wearing helmets. In the meantime, Lewis and other VSA members watch over the park, cleaning up litter, keeping skaters and tourists out of the flower boxes, or breaking up arguments and assisting in accidents. On any given day, one can come to the park and see a handful of skating legends; or as Zephyr skating team member Matt Smith, puts it, "Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Mickey Mantle".

The Park
The Dennis Agnew Memorial Skateboard Park is 16,000 square feet with a street course with rails and ledges. There is a snake run, which is geared towards 5 or 50 year olds, and then there is a deep swimming pool style bowl. Professional skaters from the area designed the whole park.