© Courtesy of Brooke Geery
Dreamland Skate Park Opens in Portland
Oct 16 2006 / Portland, ORPortland’s Pier Park Opening
It’s a risky proposition to hold a skatepark opening in Portland, OR October 14th. After all, besides skateboarding, the Northwest is really known for one thing: rain. And once fall hits, you certainly can’t count on the weather. But the rain held off for the grand opening of Pier Park, the new Dreamland creation in the St. John’s neighborhood of Portland.
Portland has long enjoyed the reputation of a skateboarding city, thanks in large part to the legendary Burnside, which was built under a bridge by skaters, with no help from the city more than 10 years ago. But since then, the city of Portland has remained somewhat stagnant as a place for skateboarders. In the surrounding areas, skateparks have popped up left and right, but nothing within city limits. That is, until now.
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Pier Park is the first in the group Skaters for Portland Skateparks’s plan to build 3-5 public skateparks within city limits, as well as a smattering of smaller skate spots throughout the city. And apparently, they decided to start off big. $250,000 later they had the new park, complete with full pipe, 11 foot bowl, two smaller bowls and street area.
The opening brought out a who’s who of Portland skateboarders. It would have been a great day to go to Burnside, which is known for its aggressive locals, since the majority them were in St. Johns. It also seemed like some of the St. John’s locals who hadn’t skated since the 80’s decided to get out their old veriflexes as well. There were a few bikers, a guy on rollerskates, but surprisingly few rollerbladers. They were all vying for a chance to roll on pristine concrete.
Since Nike kicked in $75,000 and is located in nearby Beaverton, OR, it was only fitting that some of their team, such as Brian Anderson and Richard Mulder, be in attendance for the opening. No Paul Rodriguez though. He was here. (Skate Park Finals in Orlando) Of course, in true Portland fashion, the locals weren’t about to stand back and lets the pros enjoy the brand new concrete on their own, so the snake session began. And it will probably continue until the next park opens in the Glenhaven neighborhood, supposedly next summer.
