January 10, 2024
Page 5
Martin Luther King Jr.
2024 Special Edition
Development Funds for New Skatepark in Old Town
Project Expected
to Strengthen
Local Economy
Portland Vibrant Communi-
ties Commissioner Dan Ryan,
who oversees Portland Parks &
Recreation (PP&R), has des-
ignated $15 million in System
Development Charges (SDCs)
to fully fund a new skatepark
in the Old Town neighborhood.
The park will be located near the
Steel Bridge on the west side of
the Willamette River.
“When we have more places
to play, there is a better quality
of life for our city,” says Com-
missioner Ryan. “Transforming
part of Old Town into a citywide
recreation destination will be a
tremendous asset for our busi-
nesses, neighbors, and visitors
from all over.”
Since the early 2000s, Port-
land’s skating community has
envisioned a premier skatepark
downtown. After extensive com-
munity input, the concept was
advanced in PP&R’s 2008 Skate-
park System Plan.
“The skatepark near the Steel
Bridge will be a world class attrac-
tion,” says Ryan Hashagen, direc-
tor of the Steel Bridge Skatepark
Photos and the preliminary concept renderings are courtesy of DAO Architecture and Portland
Parks & Recreation. Importantly, all current project renderings are for illustrative purposes only. The
skatepark design will be informed in part by community engagement and will inevitably change.
Coalition. “It will breathe life and
energy into Old Town Portland.
This new public park will activate
the area by providing a recreation-
al space for people, inclusive of
all backgrounds and abilities. The
Steel Bridge Skatepark Coalition
of businesses, neighbors, and
skate advocates is overjoyed to
see Commissioner Ryan make this
investment in revitalizing Down-
town Portland.”
“In the past few years, this
proposed skatepark project
has gained more and more
traction as an appealing way
to enliven and improve this
area of downtown,” says
PP&R Director Adena Long.
“I am impressed by the en-
thusiastic community support
and look forward to realizing
another important recreational
opportunity for Portlanders.”
Park SDCs are one-time fees
assessed on new development,
not General Fund tax dollars.
SDCs help ensure that, as the
city’s population grows, its
quality of life keeps pace with
its infrastructure needs. Current
state law requires that SDC re-
sources can only be used for im-
provements that will expand the
capacity of the parks and rec-
reation system. In other words,
SDC money cannot be used to
fix or maintain current assets.
The project has received sup-
port from various partners. Pros-
per Portland is providing $250,000
to advance the development pro-
cess. The Steel Bridge Skate Co-
alition has been a major advocate,
and the Old Town Community
Association (OTCA) has shown
support for the initial concept.
The concept was a collaborative
effort by DAO Architecture, Lan-
go Hansen Landscape Architects,
and Grindline Skateparks, Inc.
The innovative vision received
several landscape design awards,
playing a significant role in in-
spiring the skatepark’s future. The
City of Portland commissioned
the preliminary design, ensuring
it included input from both stake-
holder and skateboard-focused ad-
visory committees.
Both the Portland Bureau of
Transportation and Oregon De-
partment of Transportation cur-
rently manage the right-of-way
where the park will be located.
TriMet and Union Pacific Rail-
road are involved in discussions
and land use matters as well.
In spring 2024, PP&R will be-
gin to work with project partners
on property acquisition and fea-
sibility, followed by community
engagement and design.