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Many city officials consider skateboarders to be rebels, vandals and bandits. In 1988, the San Jose City Council banned skateboarding in about 50 square blocks downtown, as well as in--or on--any city-owned buildings, parks and structures. In 1995, downtown Willow Glen followed suit, making it illegal to skate along Lincoln Avenue. If San Jose says skateboarding is a crime, than the city needs to offer an alternative, many argue. Most councilmembers say they support the idea of a free, citywide skate park, but money stands in the way. Parks are expensive to build, and more expensive when people get hurt. Local skaters say if the city builds a skate park, they will come, but with the lack of open spaces in San Jose, plans for a park are still in the early mixing stages--as unstable as freshly poured cement. In the meantime, skateboarders say, they will continue to frequent schoolyard staircases, parking lots and downtown parks--and skate like hell when the cops on horseback ride into view. They're too impatient to wait.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
