Never thought I would be hearing this news so quickly but if you happen to live in the San Diego County area, you are in great luck. Due to the budget crisis currently going on, all skate parks will now be free and unmonitored. Yup, that means no one telling you to put your pads on and no fees or gear you have to rent.

More than half the skate parks were free to begin with but this opens up all the ones you probably wouldn’t skate on a regular basis. It almost feels like a New Year’s present to all of us skateboarders. Take massive advantage of all this though. I hope it lasts throughout the entire year because for sure we probably won’t see this going down in 2010. Oh and its important to point out that the YMCA park in Encinitas, isn’t going to be free because it is not a city park. That is the only one I can think of that you will probably still have to pay for.

In my opinion, “Memorial” skatepark and “PQ” park are the standouts of the free park bunch. They have some interesting and different types of obstacles that I found enjoyable to skate. Coincidentally though, I had to jump the front gate illegally when I skated both of those skate parks. And as for the Carmel Valley skatepark which is also now “Free” to skate. I recently paid $5.00 to skate it only to find out that less than a month later it was free. It’s funny the way some things in this world work.

Posted by Ruben 'Studdard' Najera on Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 in Skateboarding.

• -Ed Benedict Skate Park Plaza Is Open: Why Does Portland Gotta Blow Up So Hard?
• -Struggle Showdown: January 10th
• -Governator Supports Trestles Toll Road, Closing State Beaches
• -Carmel Valley Skatepark
• -The L.A. Skate Plaza