Steel Bridge Skatepark project moves forward with $15 million in funding

A long discussed plan to build a skatepark at the west end of the Steel Bridge will finally move forward with $15 million in funding from the city of Portland. The money, estimated to fully fund the project, was announced this week by Commissioner Dan Ryan, who oversees Portland Parks & Recreation.

The funds will come from , which are one time fees levied on new development that can be used by Portland Parks & Recreation only for new infrastructure or expanding park capacity. Prosper Portland, the city’s economic and urban development agency, is also providing $250,000 toward the project.

“When we have more places to play, there is a better quality of life for our city,” Ryan stated in a news release. “Transforming part of Old Town into a citywide recreation destination will be a tremendous asset for our businesses, neighbors and visitors from all over.” The idea for a large skatepark at the base of the Steel Bridge is more than two decades years old.

In 2000, The Oregonian ran a story titled, “Group pushes for city to build skatepark near Steel Bridge.” At the time, the Portland Development Commission had awarded a $50,000 grant to study the concept. Back in 2008, a Steel Bridge skatepark was the largest site recommended in the city’s . Ryan Hashagen, director of the , has been advocating for the project for years.

He called the skatepark a “historic investment in Old Town.” “That location is central to the city and easy to access by transit,” Hashagen said. “As showcased by our Old Town business support and neighborhood support, this is a spot that could really catalyze bringing people into Old Town because of this world class recreation attraction.” The preliminary design was commissioned by the city of Portland in 2010 and , in collaboration with Lango Hansen Landscape Architects and Grindline Skateparks Inc.

The footprint of the future skatepark is about 35,000 square feet of what is now sloped, grassy terrain. The preliminary design calls for translucent fiberglass roof panels with solar cells that can both shelter skaters from the rain and capture solar energy to power the park’s lighting. The design concept also includes spectator seating and a pedestrian plaza space.

“The skate park will not just be for skaters, but hopefully will draw people from Waterfront Park and from Saturday Market into Old Town to be able to spectate and enjoy and watch the recreation,” Hashagen said. “This will be a park that will be designed to be welcoming to many different skill levels and age groups.” There’s no timeline for when the project will break ground or when it will be competed.

An announcement about the project from Portland Parks & Recreation said work will begin this spring on “property acquisition and feasibility, followed by community engagement and design.”.