Skaters in Santa Clarita may soon have an extra hour to enjoy their favorite park thanks to a petition supported by Pharmacy Boardshop in the Valencia Mall.
The petition, which is directed to the Santa Clarita City Council and Parks Commission, calls for the skate park’s closing time to be extended from 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM.
Nas Angulo, the Store Manager of Pharmacy Boardshop and a longtime resident, shared his perspective on why this change is needed.
Since the shop opened last December, Nas has seen firsthand the growth of the local skate community. Residents of all ages have shown incredible interest in skating, making it clear that demand for quality recreational spaces is higher than ever.
While he appreciates the City’s previous decision to extend park hours to 9:00 PM, he says that the community’s growth means the park hours should evolve as well.
According to Nas, the current closing time creates challenges for students and working adults who can only get to the park in the evening.
Many of these skaters rely on private lessons and guidance from local instructors like Shawn Rennie from Push Skate School and Hydro Mike, who teach skills, provide supervision, and help young skaters learn safely.
With the park closing at 8:30 PM, these lessons are cut short, limiting opportunities for residents to exercise, socialize, and learn in a controlled environment. Extending the hours to 10:00 PM would give everyone more time to enjoy the park while maintaining a safe and structured setting.
The timing of the extension also addresses practical concerns. Santa Clarita experiences very high temperatures in the spring and summer, sometimes exceeding 90 degrees, which makes daytime skating uncomfortable and potentially unsafe.
The park is fully lit, so staying open later allows skaters to use the facility when the temperature is cooler and parking is easier to find.
For many students and working residents, this late-evening window is the best opportunity to get active, meet friends, and connect with the local skate community.
Safety is another key factor in the petition. With more young skaters coming into the shop to buy their first boards, Nas has seen the local youth population grow quickly.
Extending park hours would keep these skaters in a supervised, well-lit environment rather than out on streets or private areas, where risks from traffic and unlit spaces are higher.
Santa Clarita’s curfew for minors begins at 10:00 PM, so allowing the park to remain open until then aligns with city rules while keeping the community safe.
Nas also notes that the park has a history of later hours, previously remaining open until 10:30 PM without problems.
The community takes pride in maintaining the space, keeping it clean, and ensuring that everyone behaves responsibly.
The nearby Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station adds an extra layer of security, making the park one of the safest areas in the city for late-evening activity.
By extending the hours to 10:00 PM, Santa Clarita can provide a safe, well-lit space for exercise and social connection, support local instructors and businesses like Pharmacy Boardshop, and continue to foster a responsible and enthusiastic skate community.
The petition is live on Change.org and residents are encouraged to sign in support of later park hours and the growing skate scene in Santa Clarita.
Sign now here!