Lents Park is bounded by SE Steele and SE Holgate, SE 88th and SE 92nd. The skatepark master plan has it at 5000 sq. ft. Take the time to check this out and comment. There is nothing designed yet skate-wise but there is some opposition to a skatespot in this park so there should be equal or more positive comments. View the three concepts proposed for the Lents Park Master Plan and submit your comments by Wednesday, September 15, 5:00 PM. Comment Opportunity

Thanks Brian for the heads up.

Some pics from the Pier Park Pickup over at Antigravity Press.

Be a good neighbor and come help out for a couple of hours at the Pier Park Pickup SOLV event tomorrow from 9am - 1 pm. We’ll be doing trash pickup and graffiti coverup at the skatepark. Breakfast treats from Tulip Pastry Shop and hot coffee from Starbucks. It should be a nice morning to hang out at the park anyway.

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.

It is not clear if this is the right place for a bunch of skateboarders to show up to advocate for skateparks to be included in the proposed parks levy but we know what our budget priorities are.

Public Priorities and the Parks Budget: Community Budget Information Meeting
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on November 30 to discuss fiscal year 2010-11 budget. Benson High School, 546 NE 12th Avenue.

Community Budget Information Meeting on the Portland Parks & Recreation budget process for fiscal year 2010-11

The public is invited to join Parks Commissioner Nick Fish, PP&R Director Zari Santner, and senior PP&R managers in a discussion of the budget process

As Portland Parks & Recreation starts the budget planning process for fiscal year 2010-11, the City of Portland continues to face uncertainties from the ongoing financial crisis, including reduced state and federal funding and reduced General Fund discretionary dollars.

As with the development of the current year’s budget, the City will take a conservative approach in preparing next year’s bureau budgets.

What does that mean for Parks? It is likely, given the financial climate, PP&R will be asked to prepare reductions from ongoing operations. Last year the bureau reduced its General Fund discretionary budget by 5%, or approximately $2 million. That reduction translated into the loss of twenty positions, including three park planners, as well as increased program fees.

This year’s financial forecast could require looking at a similar level of reduction from the already reduced budget. Commissioner Fish and Director Santner are seeking the public’s input and ideas for where the bureau can identify priorities, save money through efficiencies, increase revenues, or make reductions.

Childcare is available at the meeting by calling 503.823.5113 before November 25.

Current information on the FY 2010-11 budget planning process for Portland Parks & Recreation can be found online at www.portlandonline.com/parks/budget.

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.