More than 200 people from El Paso’s skateboarding community and family members gathered for the naming of Lizbeth Avila skateboard park in East Montana.
Angie Rodriguez, the mother of Lizbeth Avila, expressed gratitude for El Pasoans who came to support the life of her daughter who made it her mission to find the positive is every moment.
“She left that to me — to find joy each day,” Rodriguez said.
The upgraded skatepark was named in honor of Avila, a beloved 22-year-old skater from El Paso who died of a skateboarding-related injury in August 2021. The celebration was held on Thursday, June 26 — Lizbeth’s birthday.
The skateboarders tried out the new ramps and trick elements as a mariachi band played in a celebration that emphasized skating safety and park etiquette.
The renovated park features a new high ledge, high banked hip, high hipped quarter pipe, six-stair set with handrail, and a hipped quarter pipe radial pocket.
A mural of Liz’s face decorates one of the ramps, while another features the words “LIZIZFOREVER” alongside monarch butterflies.
Kanten Russell, member of New Line Skate Parks and a professional skateboarder, served on the design team for Banes Construction to design the skatepark.
“The measure of success is if you come by here and seeing people who live here actually riding it,” Russell said.
Lizbeth remembered after fatal skateboarding fall
Avila was a 22-year-old skater and UTEP student who suffered a severe head injury after a fall at the Carolina Skatepark in El Paso’s Lower Valley on Aug. 26, 2021. She was not wearing a helmet.
She died the following morning.
Her life, however, continues to serve as a source of inspiration in the skateboarding community. Her family is now raising skateboard safety awareness in El Paso.
Skating community urged to prioritize safety
Montana Vista Fire Rescue, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and County Commissioner Jackie Arroyo Butler, Precinct 1, attended the event and advocated for safety.
Butler’s office provided free helmets to skaters.
Gill Martinez, fellow skateboarder and friend of Lizbeth, was invited by Rodriguez to speak about Lizbeth as a person and her life at the skatepark.
Martinez said he was far away in age from Lizbeth, but that gave him the opportunity to observe her energy and effect on others both on and off the skatepark.
“Her style was more than looks,” Martinez said. “It was her vibrant energy you could see when she skated.”
A bustling environment at a skatepark makes it important to practice certain etiquette and safety measures when large groups gather to ride the ramps and trick features, Martinez said.
“It’s more about skatepark etiquette and waiting your turn,” Martinez said. “And if it’s busy, take some time for yourself because that could also be the case… collision.”
“I think as far as skateboarding, and the essence of it, it’s always been in the streets,” Martinez said. “It’s never been all like (it is) here.”
Ana Acosta, injury prevention and education specialist University Medical Center of El Paso trauma department, spoke during the skatepark celebration.
“This isn’t just about wearing helmets,” Acosta said. “It’s about cultivating a deep-rooted culture of safety and responsibility within our community.
“We’ll continue to show our support for the active and prominent individuals in our community,” Acosta said. “We ask for your continued partnership in helping us normalize helmet use and promote safe skating.”
Gaby Velasquez may be reached at gavelasquez@elpasotimes.com; @gabyavelasquez on Instagram, and Abrielle Kate Maddison may be reached at @abriellekate.photo on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Seeking ‘joy each day’: Skatepark renamed in memory of El Paso’s Lizbeth Avila
Reporting by Gaby Velasquez and Abrielle Kate Maddison / El Paso Times
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