THE FIRST SAFE SPOT SKATE SPOT

At Lafayette Park in Los Angeles

Los Angeles - Local skaters had been waiting a long time for the new Safe Spot Skate Spot to open at Lafayette Park. The Dedication Ceremony was not until 3:30 pm but kids were lined up along the fence as early as 9 am, hoping to get a glimpse of professional skateboarder Rob Dyrdek. Their faces and skateboards pressed up against the cold iron, they waited, anticipating the new tricks they could perform on the new smooth surface.

The Department of Recreation and Parks in partnership with Rob Dyrdek, The Rob Dyrdek/DC Shoes Skate Plaza Foundation and CKE Restaurants, Inc. proudly dedicated Lafayette Park's Safe Spot Skate Spot on Tuesday, February 24, 2009. The new skate spot is a project of The Safe Spot Skate Spot program created by The Rob Dyrdek/DC Shoes Skate Plaza Foundation. The program supports legal and safe skate spots for communities interested in developing skateable terrain for skateboarders. Lafayette's plaza is the first Safe Spot Skate Spot in the WORLD.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, City Councilmember Herb J. Wesson, Jr., General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri and Commission President Barry A. Sanders were all in attendance for the Dedication Ceremony. Mayor Villaraigosa and Councilmember Wesson got a quick lesson from Rob and rode to the stage on the largest skateboard ever made.

After the ribbon was cut, over a 1,000 kids rushed in to test out the 9,000-square-foot skate spot. Hitting the ledges, benches, rails and stairs; the young skaters christened their new skate haven. Among the skaters were DC riders Rob Dyrdek, Josh Kalis, PJ Ladd, Ryan Smith, Lindsey Robertson, Greg Myers, Wes Kremer and Marquise Henry. Jose, a local skater, said it was the best day of his life, "I never thought I would see Rob in my neighborhood and be able to skate with him and the DC team. Today is BIG!"

Lafayette's Safe Spot Skate Spot was developed in partnership with The Rob Dyrdek/DC Foundation, Newline Skate Parks. CKE Restaurants, Inc., parent company to Carl's Jr., provided a generous donation that funded the construction of the new skate spot. The Carl's Jr. Star Diner was on site to feed all visitors with six-dollar burgers, french fries and drinks. The Golden Star even skated the new skate spot, showing off his ollie skills.

The new Safe Spot Skate Spot is located at 625 South Lafayette Park Place, Los Angeles CA 90057 (near the intersection of Commonwealth and Wilshire). No fees or safety regulations (like helmets or pads) are enforced, just free safe space to safely skate. Make sure to keep watching Rob Dyrdek's new show Fantasy Factory on MTV, Lafayette's Safe Spot Skate Spot Dedication Ceremony/Opening will be featured on the show in April.

The Department of Recreation and Parks is grateful to all involved for this generous donation! For more information about the Department please visit our website at http://www.laparks.com/.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694

Amy A. Garcia: (213) 202-2689