Skate Park and Beach Boys

My son wanted to go to a skate park in Gardena called Rowley Skate Park. What helps me remember this name is that it is the name of Greg's best friend in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. As we drove there we passed El Camino College and he told me there was another skate park near there, but the skaters who frequented it were very good, out of his league, apparently.

Anyway, we arrived soon after passing El Camino College. Rowley Park Skatepark (actual name) is easy to find as it as on the southeast corner of Van Ness and 132nd St.

I had my iPhone with me, so decided to take a couple of pano shots. This one is from the south end looking towards 132nd St.

This is from the north end.

The design is quite simple and impressive in that it takes up so little space, yet, there is a lot to do there, from the circle ramps to the steps. There are guard rails that a couple of the more experienced skaters tried, as well.

My son and his friends jumped right in.

After watching them for a while, I grew a little bored, and having brought nothing to read except my phone, I thought I'd take off and see the Beach Boys Monument on 119th Street in Hawthorne. I hadn't been there in a few years, so hoped I wouldn't be disappointed by seeing it marred in any way. Thankfully, it was not. It was perfect.

As you can see below, this is an official California historic landmark.

Closeup of the image:

Pano shot of the street:

The monument was dedicated in May of 2005, so it's been there close to 10 years. There were no other visitors the day I was there. One resident said hello to me and that was my only interaction that afternoon. I was right to be worried about possible graffiti because I read that it had been targeted by graffiti vandals shortly after dedication. I'm not sure what efforts are in place to prevent it, but as I said, it looked pretty good to me that day. A little worn, but otherwise fine.

The site is the former home of the Wilson family. It, as well as other homes on this side of the street, was demolished to build the 105 freeway. I'm thinking those on the other side of the street were probably razed, as well, because what's there now are some modern apartments and condos. I tried searching for a photo of the home, but couldn't find anything definitive. This was close. If they were in their driveway, then the house across the street was their neighbor's. Their home was likely similar in style.

Personally, I was never a Beach Boys fan, although I did like some of their songs. I have a 45 of Good Vibrations, but no LP's. But, this is important to me because it's local history and there is a certain pride that a band of such renown came from our community.

After my picture taking, I returned to Rowley Park to pick up the boys. They'd had their fill of skateboarding and were ready to go home.