There is very little that needs to be done to convince me of the importance of skateboarding here in Portland, its ties to our identity, and opportunity it presents. Last week I was able to see Margaux Mennesson present during one of Oregon Active Transportation events Skate Urbanism from BDX to PDX. I'm also now acquainted with Ryan Hashagen from Icicle Tricycle who has let me know a bit about the Steel Bridge Skatepark in Old Town.

A compelling recent example of skateboarding’s positive impact is the Portland Dream Plaza, a project by Dream Big City, founded by Alex Murrell, which transforms underused streets into vibrant community plazas that include space for skateboarders, with a strong focus on youth programming and community stewardship.

The real kicker, as we face continuous budget shortfalls, is how to get creative in how these projects maintain funding.

I will preface my responses to your questions with some general notes: my role, if elected to city council, will be to listen and learn from the people most impacted by these efforts, and then to advocate for unaddressed needs. While I may not be particularly familiar with the history of skate parks in Portland, increasing public spaces for recreation and community connection is a high priority for me. Park spaces help improve our city in many ways, among which include increasing public safety with more folks outside in a positive way, improving physical wellness with spaces for physical activity, and fostering social connection - and therefore improving mental health. 

In 2005, Portland Parks put together a plan for a skatepark system -19 skateparks distributed throughout the city.  To date, we're approximately halfway completed,  20 years into the process.  How do you envision yourself contributing to fund these skatepark projects?

20 years is quite a long time to patiently wait for the skatepark system to be instituted... unfortunately, we have only been seeing a decrease in the budgeting for Portland Parks & Rec. Our current city council has demonstrated an understanding that a robust parks system is part of public safety, and last year moved to transfer nearly $2 million from the Portland Police Bureau toward Portland Parks & Rec.

(source: https://portlandtribune.com/2025/05/22/city-council-approves-balanced-8-5-billion-budget-at-the-last-minute/)

I believe we need to take approaches like this further when considering funding for the skatepark projects. Are we looking at these merely as a Parks & Rec process, or are we zooming out and recognizing how vital this is to public safety? I would advocate we transfer funds allocated for public safety toward this project as well, to compensate for loss of park-specific dollars and ensure this project is finalized. City parks are also excellent spaces for public restrooms to be established. We have a huge problem when it comes to publicly available restrooms in the city, especially when park restrooms close from October till May. One of my campaign efforts includes expanding public restroom access - we can start with keeping park restrooms open year-round. If we were to recognize that with an expanded park system comes improving public restroom space, perhaps we could advocate for public sanitation funding also being funneled toward completing the skatepark project. 

We're currently working on the Steel Bridge Skatepark in Old Town, which will be the crown jewel of the 19 park plan.  There has been a significant budget allocated towards this project, with an anticipated completion date in 2029.  We will need help pushing this project over the finish line, what would your support look like?

Echoing my statements above, my support would include highlighting the holistic city benefits such a skatepark would bring. An element that stood out to me in watching the video on the site you sent, showing where the park would be located, is that currently, that portion of land is surrounded by hostile architecture targeted at dissuading unhoused folks from camping there. Hostile architecture is not only inhumane, it serves no one. By pushing forward the Steel Bridge Skatepark project, we would actually turn that whole space around into something that serves our whole community. I would highlight this as well as my points above to help push this project past the finish line. 

Portland is the birthplace of the DIY Skatepark: The Burnside Project.  There are several other engaging DIY skatespots currently thriving in various parts of town.  Will you commit to supporting these projects, if found to be beneficial to the neighborhoods they're a part of?  What would that commitment entail?

Okay, I have passed by the Burnside skatepark before and was unaware of the DIY history - I love this! It epitomizes one of the best aspects of Portland culture for me: making the city our own and not waiting for permission to do so. Yes, I am in full support of the DIY Skateparks. There are far too many rules, permits, and funding wars to navigate for city managed parks, as you have highlighted with the decades' long skatepark process. A core value of my platform is putting the power back into the hands of the people. One way I hope to accomplish that is by advocating for a real budget to be given to neighborhood associations, which people living in those neighborhoods could then apply to utilize for projects such as a DIY skatepark, with far less bureaucracy involved than trying to convince the city to build a park. Our city design needs to fit the needs of each neighborhood, each block, and who better to say what the neighborhood needs than the residents themselves? In addition to granting neighborhood associations budgets that DIY park builders could apply for, my support would include looking at ways to cut down bureaucracy and streamline the approval process for DIY parks. I also want the city to completely re-imagine zoning laws to make it easier for residents to establish what they want to see in their neighborhoods more organically. The last thing city government should be doing is standing in the way of grassroots efforts to better our neighborhoods, in the name of arbitrary zoning laws.

Thank you again for your thoughtful questions! I would love your feedback on my thoughts. I see myself as a life long student and have so much to learn from my fellow Portlanders. 

Thank you for your advocacy and for everything you are doing to keep Portland's skate culture thriving. I've always been a huge fan of skaters and have known that skateboarding brings creativity, resilience, community, and an incredible ability to transform overlooked spaces into places where people belong. I appreciate the opportunity to answer your questions.

In 2005, Portland Parks put together a plan for a skatepark system — 19 skateparks distributed throughout the city. To date, we're approximately halfway completed, 20 years into the process. How do you envision yourself contributing to fund these skatepark projects?

I appreciate you shining a light on the Skatepark System Plan! Over the past two decades, I've served Portland Parks & Recreation in a variety of roles, working on community engagement, capital projects, partnerships, and fundraising. Those experiences have taught me that the best public projects happen when government, philanthropy, business, labor, and community members rally around a shared vision.

As a City Council member, I'd use those relationships and that experience to help secure funding, build public support, and advocate for skateparks as essential community infrastructure. Skateparks don't just serve skaters—they activate parks, create safer public spaces through positive use, and build community across generations.

We're currently working on the Steel Bridge Skatepark in Old Town, which will be the crown jewel of the 19-park plan. We will need help pushing this project over the finish line. What would your support look like?

The Steel Bridge Skatepark has the potential to become one of Portland's signature public spaces, and I'd be excited to help see it through.

I recently managed the Portland Parks community engagement team, including the staff leading engagement for this project, so I understand the commitment, vision, and the work required to deliver something of this scale. I'd help keep momentum by advocating for resources, supporting partnerships, removing barriers where possible, and making sure the project remains a priority. I'd also work to tell the story of why this investment matters—not just for skaters, but for the continued revitalization and activation of Old Town.

Portland is the birthplace of the DIY Skatepark: Burnside. There are several other engaging DIY skatespots currently thriving in various parts of town. Will you commit to supporting these projects, if found to be beneficial to the neighborhoods they're a part of? What would that commitment entail?

Absolutely—with thoughtful partnership.

Some of our most iconic places were created by people who cared enough to imagine something better. Burnside is an incredible example of that spirit, and it's earned worldwide respect because it grew from the community up.

Throughout my career at Portland Parks, I've seen time and again that the City gets the best outcomes when we listen first and work alongside the people who are already invested. If a DIY skatespot is strengthening its neighborhood, creating positive activation, and has community support, I would absolutely work to be a constructive partner.

That means bringing skaters, neighbors, Parks, transportation, and other stakeholders together to explore practical solutions that improve safety, sustainability, and long-term success—while respecting the creativity, independence, and community ownership that make these places so meaningful.

Thanks for keeping leaders engaged and accountable in this important space. 

-Kellie

Kellie Torres
Candidate for City Council, District 3

www.kellietorresforportland.com

In 2005, Portland Parks put together a plan for a skatepark system -19 skateparks distributed throughout the city.  To date, we're approximately halfway completed, 20 years into the process.  How do you envision yourself contributing to fund these skatepark projects? 

Skateparks are vital public goods that greatly benefit our community. The City has a duty to not only fund, but prioritize this skatepark project. During budget crunch times, I will ensure that my colleagues come together to fund (and importantly prioritize) this project.  We owe it to our community to see this project through to the end. Parks (including Skateparks) are not just nice to have, they are must haves. As a Teacher, I have seen how high-quality Parks and Recreation equipment directly benefits my students. Skateparks give them an outlet, an opportunity for exercise and recreation, a space to build social skills and connections, and a safe place to spend their hours after school and during Summer. I am a big fan of skateparks and will work to ensure the completion of this project. 

We're currently working on the Steel Bridge Skatepark in Old Town, which will be the crown jewel of the 19 park plan.  There has been a significant budget allocated towards this project, with an anticipated completion date in 2029.  We will need help pushing this project over the finish line, what would your support look like?

I am very excited about the Steel Bridge Stakepark in Old Town and have been following it closely. As you mentioned the budget for this project has been allocated for, now I need to ensure the political prioritization of this project. At a granular level, I can use my office to monitor that there are no bureaucratic snags with the on-going land transfer negotiations and mediate interdepartmental hold-ups with site control. Since this skatepark is in D4, I will work closely with District 4 colleagues. I am delighted to see Councilor Green’s plans to increase the visibility of this city project and amplify community engagement. When I use my office to poll the public, similar to how I conducted a poll of community support for the moda center negotiations, I find an active and engaged Portland who wants to participate in molding our City with the projects near and dear to their hearts (like this one). I am happy to amplify this project, gather community engagement, and track the progress, mitigating any long-term delays. 

Portland is the birthplace of the DIY Skatepark: The Burnside Project.  There are several other engaging DIY skatespots currently thriving in various parts of town.  Will you commit to supporting these projects, if found to be beneficial to the neighborhoods they're a part of?  What would that commitment entail?

I absolutely love the DIY spirit of our town! When our neighbors identify a problem or a gap in service, they come together to find a solution. If DIY skateparks are being used and cared for by the people in that neighborhood, they are part of the community fabric and need to be supported and pointed out as an example for a community space where people can be active and spend time outside without having to spend money. I would be happy to support these projects and use my office to ensure safe building processes and community access.

In Solidarity,

Tiffany Koyama Lane

In 2005, Portland Parks put together a plan for a skatepark system -19 skateparks distributed throughout the city.  To date, we're approximately halfway completed,  20 years into the process.  How do you envision yourself contributing to fund these skatepark projects?

One of the most encouraging things I notice when comparing the 2005 Skatepark System Plan and the state of the current system is the presence of skateparks that were not considered as part of the plan. This demonstrates that Portland Parks & Recreation is keeping skaters and action sport users in mind as they develop additional parks and facilities, and that the bureau and the system can be responsive to needs and opportunities as they arise. The City should continue to consider opportunities to build upon and meet the goals of the Skatepark System Plan as we plan for the growth and maintenance of the entire parks system.

The challenge, as you rightly point out, is identifying funding for these projects - both initial capital investments and ongoing maintenance investments. The Parks system, for various reasons, is both under and over developed. It is underdeveloped when considering access to parks (particularly in East Portland) and the goals set in policies like the Skatepark System Plan. It is over-developed in that we have built more park assets than we can afford to maintain - leading to an exploding maintenance backlog that currently sits at $700+ million. I worked hard to craft and pass the recent parks levy, but that provided funding to maintain the status quo with just a couple million dollars each year for maintenance projects. So, if we continue to expand parks properties and facilities like skateparks without more money for maintenance we will only add to the backlog. This might tempt people to say we shouldn’t build anything new until we get our house in order. But it is also motivation to get creative.

Skateparks and skate spots have a few important things working in their favor when considering the future of parks. For one, both initial capital investment and ongoing maintenance tends to be lower than other projects. Second, the skater community has a long history of being stewards of skate assets, as evidenced by Burnside skatepark, Pier Park, and other DIY ventures. They shouldn’t bear the entire maintenance burden, but the fact they are willing to contribute is a benefit. Also included in the Parks Levy was a commitment to expanding public-private partnerships and volunteer groups. I think these efforts are key to creating a financially responsible and sustainable future for Portland Parks & Recreation, and will be working with the bureau to ensure progress is made in that area.

One of the reasons our parks system could be considered “over developed” are the state level rules for System Development Charges (SDCs) that developers pay when building new homes. It’s been determined that SDCs can only be used to “expand capacity” and not for any ongoing maintenance. Skateparks and Skate Spots are excellent candidates for SDC funds as they expand the utility and activation of a location. The bang for your buck both short term and long term is also an argument for using SDCs for these projects. Now, I am also interested in working with the State and City to get the use of SDCs expanded to be able to use them for more maintenance, and this would help skateparks as well. If we have more money for maintenance we would speed up construction of new parks and park assets like skateparks. I’m sure the uncertainty around the ability to maintain these assets, and the need to put as much available funding into maintenance as possible, has contributed to the Skatepark System Plan not being fully realized 20+ years later.

In summary, as the City works to solidify the sustainable future of Portland Parks & Recreation and the goals set forth in the Skatepark System Plan, we should also be looking at ways to encourage the skateboard community to flourish and leverage the ownership they feel of skate spots to activate and energize the public realm.

We're currently working on the Steel Bridge Skatepark in Old Town, which will be the crown jewel of the 19 park plan.  There has been a significant budget allocated towards this project, with an anticipated completion date in 2029.  We will need help pushing this project over the finish line, what would your support look like?

I was proud to vote for this project during my first term, and should I have the privilege of serving a second term as a District 3 City Councilor I will continue to support this project. One way I’ve already done is to ensure the funding for construction, operation, and maintenance of the park was included in the renewal of the Parks Levy. That effort secured the project’s feasibility from a funding perspective.

However, there are still issues to be resolved with the project that will require inter-agency and inter-jurisdictional collaboration. The bridges are owned and maintained by Multnomah County. Trimet has signal boxes and other infrastructure surrounding the site. The Steel Bridge is also unique as it includes railroad service (it’s possible this complication is already resolved but the other two will certainly require on-going collaboration). 

In addition to fulfilling the initial vision for the Steel Bridge Skate we should also be considering how we can support the ongoing success of the project. How can its proximity work to the waterfront enhance both spaces? What spaces, public and private, should surround the skatepark? What other initiatives can the City take to leverage its investment in the skatepark and the skate community? These are all questions I’m interested in answering during a second term.

Portland is the birthplace of the DIY Skatepark: The Burnside Project.  There are several other engaging DIY skatespots currently thriving in various parts of town.  Will you commit to supporting these projects, if found to be beneficial to the neighborhoods they're a part of?  What would that commitment entail?

I think DIY spots, like Burnside and the former Brooklyn Bowl, are essential in achieving the broader intention of the Skatepark System Plan outside of new facilities. The plan identifies skateboarding and action sports as a growing interest and industry in Portland, and that remains true 20 years later. The City should make more steps towards embracing skateboarding as an important mode of active transportation, a way to activate all sorts of public spaces, and a way to build civic pride. 

My office met with the Portland Coalition of Skateboard Urbanists about the Half-Circle spot on SW 5th and was interested in their outlook on the grey-area between public and private spaces. Are there ways that the City could encourage builders, including public entities, to embrace skate-friendly architecture in lieu of hostile architecture as a means of preserving the safety and usability of plazas, streetscapes, and infrastructure? There is a compelling example in Bordeaux, France, of making this work. How can the skateboard community be a catalyst to re-energizing areas like Downtown, the Central Eastside, and Gateway? How can the City embrace the DIY nature of the skate community and get out its own way to allow creativity to flourish? My office has been digging into “Tactical Urbanism” and the public benefit it provides. We should be a City comfortable saying “Yes” rather than a City of red tape.

I was with the Portland Parks for 33 years and the Skate board Parks were just starting out when I retired. They are well used, which means that money is a very good investment, and will be with us for a long time. I do hope that the plan continues on until completion.

I like the skate boards that can be heard, so I can get out of their way.

There was a skate boarder who was almost always pulled by his dog (Brutus; a pit bull). The dog loved to play with other dogs, if they wanted fight, shame on them.

I will do my part to help (ensure) the skate board parks will last.

May the skate board wheels roar for ever!

The steel bridge skate park is currently set to cost 15 million to build, which is around 10 times the market rate for a skate park of that size. So hellllllllll no. I might build some that actually cost the right amount.

My first real introduction to Portland was watching skate videos of Burnside Skatepark back in middle school. I was pleasantly surprised to later learn CCS was Portland-born too — that catalog was a lifeline if you didn't want to ride a Walmart or Kmart board.

I want to support Portland's skateboard community by advocating for pro-business policies that build the tax base needed to actually finish projects like these. My dream is to bring a skateboard deck manufacturer to Portland and help make PDX a true skate mecca — and I'd like to help connect private investment to make that happen.

In high school, I skated the DC skate plaza that Rob Dyrdek built in his hometown, and I'd love to bring something like that here. If we play our cards right, Portland could even land the X-Games.

Thank you so much for reaching out and providing so much useful information on the subject. For starters, a pillar of my campaign is a focus on completing the implementation of whatever projects have been approved prior to my tenure. I feel it is integral to moving forward as a city. A second pillar is starting with the basics, repairing potholes and cracked sidewalks, pretty low budget projects. And I want to utilize traffic enforcement to generate funds for such projects in the spirit of improving public safety. That said, I feel the completion of the skate parks fall neatly into some of these ideas. 

I am definitely interested in learning more about why these projects have taken so long, and to brainstorm the various ways City Council could go about expediting their completion. So I am admitting that I don't yet know exactly what my support would look like, but i am interested in giving it. For one: I'm for anything that gets young people out of the house and away from screens. Second: The aforementioned desire to solve the problems holding up decisions that have already been made. And third; the cultural and economic impact such projects could offer.

1. Funding the skatepark system

I support completing the skatepark system, but I also think we need a more deliberate strategy for paying for it. We know the City will face budget constraints, so I don’t think the answer can simply be to put every future skatepark in competition for limited General Fund dollars.

I would like Portland to maintain its own portfolio of skatepark investments: identify the next projects, move them far enough through planning and design that they are ready when funding opportunities appear, and have Portland Parks & Recreation work with the City’s grants staff to pursue state, federal, philanthropic, and other outside funding. City capital can then be used strategically as matching money and leverage.

The skate community should absolutely be a partner in identifying priorities and shaping projects, but I don’t think a volunteer organization should be expected to do the City’s job of financing and administering public infrastructure.

1. Steel Bridge Skatepark

I support completing Steel Bridge and keeping the commitment the City has already made. A substantial amount of dedicated capital funding is already attached to the project, and years of community work have gone into getting it this far.

My role on Council would be to help protect that commitment, keep the project moving, and address interagency, permitting, or development issues that could otherwise slow it down.

I also think Steel Bridge has value beyond recreation. Portland is known far beyond the city for its skate culture. A major downtown skatepark can be a public space for Portlanders while also contributing to Old Town and giving visitors another reason to come to Portland.

1. DIY skate spaces

Yes, I would support community-built skate spaces when they are beneficial to the surrounding neighborhood.

Portland has a particular history here because of Burnside. I don’t want the City to take what makes DIY spaces successful and bury it under bureaucracy. At the same time, I think we can create a clearer path for successful community-built projects around issues such as land access, safety, accessibility, maintenance, liability, and longer-term site agreements.

If people are voluntarily putting their time, skill, and resources into creating a public recreational asset that a neighborhood values, I think the City’s first question should be: how can we make this work?

I did some additional research after our conversation and attached a short funding brief. It lays out several outside funding sources the City itself could pursue and how those could potentially pair with existing and future skatepark investments. It isn’t meant to be exhaustive, but it gives a sense of the approach I would like the City to take.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mE1zem69eWjVEs91xs4KSj_hKxtVLMxf/view?usp=sharing

Thanks again,

Cristal

I see skateparks as much more than recreation facilities. They are community spaces that give young people and adults a place to be active, build friendships, develop skills, and spend time outdoors. Portland has a unique history with skateboarding, and I believe we should continue investing in that culture while making sure communities across the city have access to quality outdoor recreation.

With the 19-skatepark system, I would work with Portland Parks, community advocates, neighborhood organizations, and potential public and private partners to identify sustainable funding opportunities and keep these projects moving forward. I also believe we need clear priorities around geographic access, community need, equity, and long-term maintenance. 

I support the Steel Bridge Skatepark and would work to help get the project across the finish line. Portland has already made a significant investment, and I see this as an opportunity to create a major recreational and community asset in Old Town. As a Councilor, I would stay engaged with Parks, skaters, neighborhood partners, and other stakeholders to help identify barriers and maintain accountability so the project continues moving toward completion.

I also support Portland’s DIY skatepark culture. Burnside is an important part of Portland’s history, and our DIY skateparks demonstrate what can happen when residents take ownership of their communities and create spaces that people value. I would support DIY projects that provide a clear community benefit and can operate safely and responsibly within their neighborhoods. I believe the City should work with these communities to preserve and support successful spaces rather than simply approaching them from a regulatory perspective.

More broadly, I want Portland to think of outdoor recreation as community infrastructure. Skateparks, parks, trails, playgrounds, courts, and other outdoor spaces help create healthier, more connected neighborhoods. I would look forward to working with Portland’s skateboarding community and hearing directly from skaters about how we can continue building a city where outdoor recreation is accessible, welcoming, and part of everyday community life.

Thanks again for reaching out, and I appreciate the work you and Skaters for Portland Skateparks are doing to advocate for these projects. I look forward to staying connected.

Best,

Ali Beaudoin
Candidate for Portland City Council, District 3

In 2005, Portland Parks put together a plan for a skatepark system -19 skateparks distributed throughout the city.  To date, we're approximately halfway completed,  20 years into the process.  How do you envision yourself contributing to fund these skatepark projects?

• Defend and grow the parks funding in the budget - I helped to restore about $7 million in parks maintenance, including trash collection and field upkeep, and secured funding to repair every District 3 park restroom. I’ve shown that I will fight to put parks dollars on the page and that holds for capital projects too.

• Using SDCs the way they’re supposed to be used. System Development Charges exist to expand park space when new development happens. That’s why $15M in SDCs was directed to Steel Bridge under former Commissioner Ryan. I’ve pushed hard for transparency around SDC waivers and reporting. Skateparks that expand park space in underserved areas are exactly the kind of project that SDCs are meant for.

We're currently working on the Steel Bridge Skatepark in Old Town, which will be the crown jewel of the 19 park plan.  There has been a significant budget allocated towards this project, with an anticipated completion date in 2029.  We will need help pushing this project over the finish line, what would your support look like?

My support looks like four things: keeping the project a visible priority, helping troubleshoot land use and permitting hurdles, ensuring that community voices influence design (especially around accessibility and safety), and making sure the maintenance budget is allocated so it doesn't become another deferred asset. 

Portland is the birthplace of the DIY Skatepark: The Burnside Project.  There are several other engaging DIY skatespots currently thriving in various parts of town.  Will you commit to supporting these projects, if found to be beneficial to the neighborhoods they're a part of?  What would that commitment entail?

Yes! When the City signed that space over to the DIYers instead of sending in backhoes, Portland made a choice about who gets to shape our public spaces, and I want to keep making that choice.

1. In 2005, Portland Parks put together a plan for a skatepark system -19 skateparks distributed throughout the city.  To date, we're approximately halfway completed,  20 years into the process.  How do you envision yourself contributing to fund these skatepark projects?

If we're going to persuade the public to fund them, we need to bring in more major events that support skating, like the Rockstar Energy Open.

In the meantime, the best thing I can do is use the position of city councilor to encourage private funding and public-private partnerships, such as the Percent for Art model to help fund the remaining skateparks.

2. We're currently working on the Steel Bridge Skatepark in Old Town, which will be the crown jewel of the 19 park plan.  There has been a significant budget allocated towards this project, with an anticipated completion date in 2029.  We will need help pushing this project over the finish line, what would your support look like?

I'm a fixer - I work behind the scenes to connect people and resources to complete initiatives. I'd ask you what you're trying to achieve, who are you trying to reach, what are you asking for. And then see where I can offer the best help. Why is it taking so long? If you're asking me to find a solution to getting this completed, I'd need to understand what the problems are. 

3. Portland is the birthplace of the DIY Skatepark: The Burnside Project.  There are several other engaging DIY skatespots currently thriving in various parts of town.  Will you commit to supporting these projects, if found to be beneficial to the neighborhoods they're a part of?  What would that commitment entail?

I was here when the Burnside Project happened. Portland has a history of DIY infrastructure, not just skateparks, and community infrastructure development. I think these skateparks and other community developed infrastructure (e.g. the Brooklyn Park waterslide) need to protected. This is part of what makes Portland who and what we are. As City Councilor, I would seek to protect these facilities from unwarranted city intrusion unless there's a clear and obvious safety issue. Additionally, at a time when the city is struggling financially—especially regarding infrastructure and recreation—we should support these community-led projects, not hinder them.