Camino Real Skateboard Track - Ventura CA

The earliest known 1970's park and the first asphalt municipal skatepark.

The forerunner to all 1970's skateparks. This 480-foot asphalt oval track had bumps, gentle slopes, and banked turns. It could purportedly handle 75 riders at a time. It was cited in Skateboarder Magazine article (Vol 2. Issue 4) as "the first of its kind in this country."

Due to its small size, this park was regarded as a beginner's course and quickly fell into disuse. In November 1977, Ventura city planners said the park cost too much to maintain and did not see enough use, so it was slated for demolition.

Frank Atwater - I just remember it was asphalt and I was riding loose ball bearings. One day I remember a lady asking if she could take our picture. Eventually seeing the picture in the book, The Skateboard Book (published by Grossett and Dunlap in 1976). Me and my friend Christine are the ones doing a Catamaran. For years I thought it was my friend but years later we realized it was his sister and I.