More than 1,700 sign online petition, skaters fear more criminal activity.

Local skateboarders have collected more than 1,700 signatures on petitions asking the city of Santa Clarita to keep the local skatepark open, even though the old park must be demolished to build a park three times bigger.

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With no place to go, skaters could find themselves being cited for vandalism and trespassing, which was rampant before the 2005 park opening. Several skateboarders are expected at Tuesday’s city council meeting.

City officials say that the skaters’ patience will pay off with a skatepark three times the size of the current facility, as well as a new gymnasium as part of the expanded and improved sports complex.