A viral video showing a skateboarder leaping off the Encinitas City Hall parking lot to an intersection below caught the attention of officials, according to a statement from the city.
The video, posted Jan. 24 on Instagram and circulated on other platforms such as Facebook, shows a skateboarder leaping from the parking lot, over the “Encinitas City Hall” sign at the top of the steep concrete-covered slope, and landing below in the intersection of Vulcan Avenue and D Street to cheering supporters, videographers and stopped vehicles.
Comments on various social media shares of the video ranged from applause to questions about whether such a stunt is legal. Several commenters noted that attempts have been made by daring skateboarders for many years. The video appeared to have been removed from Instagram or set to private by Jan. 31.
A description on the original video stated that the skater “charmed the local police before making his mark in #Encinitas today.”
A representative from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office North Coastal Station said that was not the case, however.
“Sheriff’s Office personnel were not present, nor did any Sheriff’s deputies provide traffic control during this incident,” Lt. Mike Davis wrote in response to a North Coast Current inquiry. “Skateboarding into the roadway in this fashion is dangerous and could result in a citation being issued.”
City officials responded Jan. 29 in a statement through public relations officer Alexandra Saint.
“We also saw the viral video after the fact. The City was not aware of this activity in advance,” Saint wrote. “While skateboarding is a long-standing and valued part of Encinitas culture, activities that involve launching from parking areas into the public right-of-way are not permitted due to the potential safety risks for participants and for people using the street, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.”
Such stunts are not unusual at the site.
In local and regional skateboarding and BMX circles, the spot is a known place for a trophy jump. A compilation video posted on YouTube shows many of the successful and failed attempts to jump the slope.
The concrete-covered slope is a remnant of the site’s previous use as a Mayfair Market shopping center from the 1960s to the 1980s. City Hall’s banner is located where the tall Mayfair sign once stood, and most of the original concrete-covered slope remains around the sides of the property.
In its statement, the city recognized the risk and creativity involved in the sport but reminded residents and visitors that jumping off the slope is not legal under municipal code.
“The City understands that skateboarding often involves creativity and risk, and encourages those who participate to do so in locations that are designed for skating and where potential impacts to public safety are minimized,” the statement reads.
Municipal code specifically cites the Civic Center as off limits.
“It is unlawful for any person to ride a skateboard, inline skates, roller skates, toy vehicle, coaster or any other similar form of transportation … at the Encinitas Civic Center, Encinitas Community Center, fire stations, libraries and their adjacent sidewalks, landscape barriers and parking lots,” the code states.
(Story updated at 5:10 p.m. Jan. 31)
