‘Crown jewel’: Portland City Council approves new Steel Bridge skate park

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A project more than 20 years in the making will be coming to fruition as the Portland City Council voted to transfer land for a new skate park under the Steel Bridge.

Those with the Steel Bridge Skatepark Coalition say the park will draw national and international attention to downtown Portland by bringing the “crown jewel” of skateparks to the heart of the city.

The new park, once built, will be capable of hosting world-class events like the Summer X Games with a price tag of about $15 million. City leaders say this is an exciting prospect for a city that is still bouncing back from the 2020 pandemic.

“I’m just so excited that we’re moving the Old Town skate park project forward after a 20-year journey to finally come to fruition,” City Councilor Dan Ryan said. “Transforming this underutilized area into a recreation destination will be a tremendous asset in helping activate Old Town, which is what our businesses, our families, our neighbors, our guests, and our nearby hotels desire, because joyful activation equals revenue and public safety.”

The coalition also says the skate park — located in downtown Portland’s Waterfront Park under the NW Davis Street and Naito Parkway onramps — will serve as an active space for community members of all ages.

“The Steel Bridge Skate Park will be a public space for all ages from young kids using the ‘grom’ section to elderly spectators,” the coalition said. “The park will be designed with plaza spaces and seating for locals, parents, and tourists to watch the activity.”

Renderings of the future skate park can be seen below:

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