Disclaimer: The author of this article is a former employee of Portland Parks & Recreation.
A grand total of $15 million was recently allotted by Portland Parks & Recreation for the Steel Bridge Skatepark, according to an announcement from Portland Parks Commissioner Dan Ryan. A reflection of its name, the Steel Bridge Skatepark is a proposed skatepark near the Steel Bridge on the west side of the Willamette River. The idea of the Steel Bridge Skatepark started in the 2000s, and the design process began close to two decades ago. It was integrated into Portland Parks & Recreation’s 2008 Skatepark System Plan as the largest proposed skatepark in Portland.
Dave Miller, the host of Oregon Public Broadcasting’s (OPB) talk show, “Think Out Loud,” comments in a recent episode, “Bureaucracy and a lack of funding have prevented the project from moving forward until now.” All funds planning to be used for the Steel Bridge Skatepark are from System Development Charges (SDCs), rather than General Fund tax dollars. SDCs are required to only be used for new infrastructure and expanding Portland’s parks and recreation outlets, not to fix or improve current assets of Portland, according to state law. In addition, Prosper Portland, the city’s urban and economic development agency, has generously provided $250,000 for the development of the skatepark.
Distinguishing itself from other skateparks in Portland and nationwide, the Steel Bridge Skatepark has three key features that set it apart. Firstly, its expansive skateable terrain spans approximately 33,000 square feet, making it more than three times larger than the Burnside Skatepark, which has a terrain of only 9,000 square feet. Secondly, it is designed to host large-scale events and competitions. The design of the skatepark also purposefully incorporates pedestrian access and viewing areas along the site’s perimeter, enhancing the overall experience. Lastly, a significant portion of the skateable space will be covered by either newly installed canopies or existing bridges, increasing usability of the Steel Bridge Skatepark throughout the cold winter months.
The Steel Bridge Skatepark Coalition played a large role in the progress of the skatepark. The Steel Bridge Skatepark Coalition is a group of skateboard enthusiasts working with the Old Town neighborhood to support the construction of the new skatepark. “We envision a Skatepark Plaza that is welcoming and inclusive. The Steel Bridge Skatepark Plaza will incorporate events, [activities], and attract people of all ages,” says Ryan Hashagen, director of the Steel Bridge Skatepark Coalition. In 2022, after being frustrated with the city’s delays, Hashagen and members of the coalition took matters into their own hands by hosting an unofficial “groundbreaking” event at the park’s construction site. They poured a small slab of concrete to back a clear message: If the city doesn’t take action to build the skatepark, the Portland community will do it themselves.
Along with the coalition, Better Block PSU, a partnership program between the volunteer-led group Better Block PDX and Portland State University (PSU), has also contributed to the advancement of the skatepark. At the Better Block collaboration, seven college students attending PSU partnered with community leaders in order to plan and create design options for the Steel Bridge Skatepark. Additionally, their work helped create a foundation for continued discussions with project stakeholders.
The design of the Steel Bridge Skatepark was authorized by the City of Portland in 2010 and created by DAO Architecture, in collaboration with Lango Hansen Landscape Architects and Grindline Skateparks Inc. Katherine Sheie, a senior associate and landscape architect at the Lango Hansen firm, shares her thoughts: “Skateboarding advocates started talking about this site as a potential skatepark as early as 2000, and the site was formally designated as one of the city’s future skatepark locations in the city’s 2008 Skatepark Master Plan. Unlike the other sites in the master plan, however, this site was seen as a potential ‘crown jewel’ in Portland’s system.”
Previous work created by Lango Hansen has included the Fair-Haired Dumbbell, a corporate office building recognizable by the colorful flowers and geode-like designs located on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, near the Burnside Bridge.
DAO has also designed other notable projects, some examples being the modernization of McDaniel High School and the PDX Winter Light Festival. DAO’s design of the Steel Bridge Skatepark won four awards in 2010 and 2011 for the design. “The park is a sculptural urban space, optimized for skating, which integrates infrastructure, architecture, landscape, and art,” states DAO Architecture on their website.
All City of Portland capital projects are required to have components of public art. “Most capital projects are required to allocate 1.8% of the project hard costs to the creation and installation of public art,” states Ken Rumbaugh, the senior community engagement coordinator and liaison to the Tribal Relations Program at Portland Parks & Recreation. The inclusion of public art will be a large focal point for the upcoming community engagement involved in the Steel Bridge Skatepark project.
The journey of the Steel Bridge Skatepark from its conception in the 2000s to its soon-to-be reality has been characterized by community engagement, persistence, and creative design. Despite bureaucratic obstacles and difficulty with funding, the project gained a boost with the recent $15 million allocation, which shows a commitment to enhancing Portland’s recreational scenery. The collaboration between the Steel Bridge Skatepark Coalition, Better Block PSU, and other organizations has played an important role in pushing the Steel Bridge Skatepark project forward. As the project progresses, the Steel Bridge Skatepark represents not only a triumph over obstacles but evidence of the spirit, collaboration, and perseverance within the Portland community.
