Skaters for Portland Skateparks

Late notice as usual. This will be the forum for input about the plans for development around the Burnside skatepark neighborhood. Skaters need to show up or they’ll think we’re not interested. 524 E Burnside, 7th floor of Bside6 doors open at 5. Be cool, but be there.

If you need to donate some money before the end of the year, consider giving it to one of these fine organizations supporting skateboarders by promoting skateparks and skateboarding. Follow the links below and click on their donate button. You can give the government everything you owe, or you can direct a portion of what you owe to your favorite skate advocacy organization and reap the tax benefits. You might also check if your employer has a gift matching program.

Skaters for Portland Skateparks advocates for free public skateparks in Portland, Oregon. The folks who brought you Pier Park skatepark and Portland’s 19 skatepark plan.

Tony Hawk Foundation supports recreational programs with a focus on the creation of public skateboard parks in low-income communities through special events, grants, and technical assistance.

Complete Skate is a school-based program that keeps kids connected to school through skateboarding.

Benton County Skateboarding Alliance partnering with all levels of the community and governmental agencies to provide safe, clean and respectful environments for skateboarding in Benton County (Corvallis), Oregon.

Grind for Life provides financial assistance to cancer patients and their families when traveling long distances to doctors and hospitals. In addition, they educate and inspire these patients and families concerning cancer survival and recovery.

Skatistan is a co-educational skateboarding school in Afghanistan engaging urban and internally-displaced youth in Afghanistan through skateboarding, and provides them with new opportunities in cross-cultural interaction, education, and personal empowerment programs.

Skaters for Public Skateparks provides a forum for sharing techniques, materials, data, and principles to advocates for public skateparks.

Marginal Way Skatepark is a skater-built skatepark project in Seattle Washington.

Sorry about the short notice on this one. There is a meeting tonight: Community Budget Information Meeting on November 30 to discuss FY 2010-2011 budget. I asked if we should show up to talk about our priorities and they said no.

I have heard otherwise.

Here are some talking points:

1. thanking Commissioner Fish and Director Zari Santner for their
   commitment to serving Portland’s youth through the development of
   public skateboard parks,
2. gently reminding them community need is far from met.
3. Portland’s skaters understand the economic downturn means
   resources are not immediately available for skatepark development as
   they were in 2006 and 2007. As a result,
4. skaters understand the pace of skatepark development has needed to
   slow. But,
5. We look forward to supporting passage of the Parks levy intended
   for 2010, which will include dollars for the Steel Bridge project as
   well as skatespots.

Read the rest of this entry »

In a sluggish economy, inflation recession … how do we make sure that the 19 skatepark development plan doesn’t fall through the cracks? Attention, activism, and advocacy. There should be a ballot measure in 2010 to raise money for Parks. We need to remind them that we still care about the skatepark plan. In 2002 a similar measure included language that part of that money was to be used to build two skateparks and then skateboarders should help make sure the levy passes.

What about your neighborhood spot? Contact Parks Commissioner Nick Fish and Portland Parks and Recreation (Tel: 503-823-PLAY (7529) Fax: 503-823-6007) to let them know we still want the 19 skatespots.

Portland Parks is sponsoring skateboarding programs this summer including Skate Jam Invitationals, camps and lessons. Get more info via the Portland Parks Skate Programs web page.