Residents urge Village of Tequesta to keep Cuesta skate park open, request repairs and lighting

Multiple residents urged the Village of Tequesta council on March 12 to keep the Cuesta skate park open and to invest in safety upgrades. Christian Carter, who said he lives near Pineview Road, told the council a petition gathered more than 220 signatures after a recent injury at a state park and called for lights to keep the park usable during peak hours (to about 8 p.m.).

Austin Dezikan, who identified himself as a resident of Downtown Center Drive and a long-time skater, described how the park functions as a community hub and asked the village to fix two ramps with “serious alignment issues” and to consider painting or sealing the concrete surface, which users say is abrasive and tears equipment and skin. Brian Wood, who described himself as a licensed financial counselor and artist, added that local teens need safe, daytime and early-evening recreation and supported targeted improvements and limited nighttime closure or controlled access if necessary.

Council members said they were not aware of any plan to fence or close the park and thanked speakers for bringing maintenance issues to the village’s attention. The mayor asked staff to investigate the ramp alignment, surface condition and lighting options and report back; if warranted, staff may add the item to the village’s April strategic workshop for further discussion.

The meeting’s public-comment speakers emphasized safety and community benefits rather than opposition to enforcement. Council members repeatedly framed the next step as a staff review rather than a promise of immediate capital work.