By Jason KUROSU

Calvin Chock opened TC Scooterz with the hope that it would provide La Crescenta’s youth with another outlet and further opportunities to connect with their peers.

“A lot of kids tell me the same thing, that there’s nothing for kids to do around here,” said Chock from behind the counter, a glass case containing all manner of scooter paraphernalia.

Named after Chock’s stepson Tyler Cendejas, TC Scooterz opened in late October in the 2900 block of Foothill Boulevard, Chock’s second business in the area along with JR Hardware, Sash & Door. The store offers not only a variety of push scooters and replacement parts, but also serves as a repair shop.

A lack of similar business, among other things, prompted Chock to open the shop.

“The closest shop for scooter parts is in Santa Clarita,” said Chock.

Rows and rows of skateboard decks adorn the walls and an arcade machine chugs away in the corner as teens, clad in helmets and knee pads, come in from Foothill to peruse the merchandise,.

“A lot of kids in this area enjoy skateboarding and scooters, but sometimes I feel this isn’t always the friendliest area in that regard,” said Chock.

Cendejas chimes in, explaining that kids often skate at parks like Two Strike Park or on school property and are met with disapproval in the process.

“Those are some of the only places where kids can skate and a lot of times skaters end up with tickets or even threats.”

Members of the Fire House Teen Center, along with TC Scooterz, have been working to establish a skate park in La Crescenta. The Fire House teens formed the CV Skate Park Committee, which not only decided on the location of the proposed park, within Crescenta Valley Park, but have also been tasked with designing the park.

“Cooper’s has been doing all the legwork with the skate park,” said Chock, referring to Skate Park Committee President Cooper Iven, a senior at Crescenta Valley High.

Iven and the committee have met with members of L.A. County Parks and Recreation, collaborating on the design and other practical aspects of the park’s formation. One such meeting was held at TC Scooterz on a recent Wednesday night, attended by the Skate Park Committee, along with L.A. Parks and Recreation and the CV Chamber.

Chock said that public outreach meetings will be held in the near future and was confident that the public would back the skate park.

“The whole community wants this park.”