Stay Informed and Involved!
Whether you are learning to skate, ride, or roll or you are an experienced pro or want updates on the project... We want to keep you in the know!
Steel Bridge Skatepark in Old Town Project news and updates will be provided every 30-60 days. Enter your email address here to receive an email each time we post about the project.
Add your contact information to the project contact list
503-823-2525 (Translation and Interpretation) | Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या | 口笔译服务 | Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad | Письмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me Awewen Kapas
Project Overview
Former Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) Commissioner, Dan Ryan, allocated $15 million in System Development Charges (SDCs) and Prosper Portland has allocated $364,000 to fund the new Steel Bridge Skatepark in Old Town.
Portland’s skating community envisioned a premier downtown skatepark since the early 2000s. The extensive community feedback was gathered and integrated into PP&R’s 2008 Skatepark System Plan.
This new public plaza and skatepark will provide a fun space for people of all backgrounds and abilities. The Steel Bridge Skatepark Coalition, which includes businesses, neighbors, and skate advocates, is excited about former Commissioner Ryan’s investment in Downtown Portland.
“In the past few years, this proposed skatepark project gained more and more traction as an appealing way to enliven and improve this area of downtown,” said PP&R Director Adena Long. “I am impressed by the enthusiastic community support and look forward to realizing another important recreational opportunity for Portlanders.”
What are System Development Charges?
System Development Charges (SDCs) are one-time fees on new development and are not funded by General Fund tax dollars. These fees help make sure that the city can keep up with the needs of parks and recreation users. They can only be used for projects that expand park space, not for maintenance or repairs of existing assets.
Partnership and Support
The project received significant support from several partners. Prosper Portland is contributing $364,000 to help with development. The Steel Bridge Skate Coalition and the Old Town Community Association (OTCA) have also shown their support.
The skatepark design was created by DAO Architecture, Lango Hansen Landscape Architects, and Grindline Skateparks, Inc. The design has won several awards and will play an important role in shaping the park’s future. During this preliminary design process, the City of Portland made sure input from community groups and skateboard-enthusiasts was incorporated.
As of March 2025, PP&R is moving forward on a land transfer with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) on the right-of-way where the park will be located. Discussions with TriMet and Union Pacific Railroad regarding land use are also ongoing.
In spring 2025, PP&R will continue to work with project partners on property acquisition and feasibility, followed by community engagement and design.
Project Updates
January 2025
The 18-person PAC met for the first time. See the Project Advisory Committee section below for a full roster of the PAC team.
Previous Updates
December 2024
The Steel Bridge Skatepark Project Advisory Committee (PAC) formed after reviewing 76 applications.
November 2024
Thank you to everyone who applied for the PAC. We received 76 applications for a 12-18-member committee. The Community Engagement team reviewed submissions and announced the PAC roster in December.
August 2024
Staff attended the Rockstar Energy Open at Waterfront Park to share project updates with the community.
July 2024
The Steel Bridge Skatepark in Old Town Request for Proposals (RFP) closed on July 31. The selection panel, consisting of four community members and three PP&R staff, reviewed the applications, and announced the design team after the “intent to award” was made. The PP&R project team worked with the awardee to draft a contract for the design and construction of the Steel Bridge Skatepark.
June 2024
The Steel Bridge Skatepark RFP was published with a mandatory pre-submittal meeting held on July 8 and a non-mandatory site visit on July 11. Proposals were due by July 31, 2024.
April 2024
The project held a successful Kick-Off Event on April 8, 2024, at the Garden Space, attended by local community members, skate advocates, and project partners, all excited to learn more about the skatepark's plans and timeline. Former Culture and Livability Commissioner Dan Ryan and Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) Director Adena Long spoke at the event, reaffirming the City of Portland's commitment to building a world-class skatepark and plaza in Old Town, near the Steel Bridge.
January 2024
Commissioner Dan Ryan allocated $15 million in System Development Charges (SDCs) to fully fund the skatepark located near the Steel Bridge on the west side of the Willamette River. Read the full article here.
Project Schedule
Anticipate Project Advisory Committee Timeline (subject to change):
- Q2 2024: Project Advisory Committee discussions (Completed)
- Q3 2024: Final questions and criteria for recruitment (Completed)
- Q3 2024: Begin Advisory Committee recruitment (Completed)
- Q4 2024: Selection of Advisory Committee members (Completed)
- Q4 2024: Relationship building with individual Advisory Committee members (Completed)
- Q1 2025: Convene Advisory Committee members for introductions and intention-setting for the group (Completed)
- Q2 2025: Work with Advisory Committee members to develop needs and priorities
- Q3 2025: Community-wide engagement begins
Key: Q1: January-March / Q2: April-June / Q3: July-September / Q4: October-December
Anticipated Project Timeline (subject to change):
- Request for Proposal (RFP): Q2 2024 - Q3 2024 (Completed)
- Project Feasibility / Site Investigation: TBD
- Community Engagement: Q2 2024 - Project Completion (see Community Engagement timeline above)
- Schematic Design: TBD
- Design Development: TBD
- Construction Documentation: TBD
- Permit Submittal: TBD
- Bid / Procurement: TBD
- Construction: TBD - Estimate 12 to 18 month construction period
Project Advisory Committee
The Steel Bridge Skatepark in Old Town Project Advisory Committee (PAC) recruitment is complete. From an applicant pool of 80 candidates, we have a final confirmed PAC roster of 18 individuals. We are very excited to begin our work with this dynamic and diverse group.
Steel Bridge Skatepark in Old Town PAC Roster: Chris Adams-Nukala, Jasmine Burch, Dean Dickinson, Isnardo Gandarilla, Preston Harper, Joanna Harrison, Hope Huynh, Miles McGowan, Margaux Mennesson, Stevie Moe, Stig Nilsen-Goodin, Nicole Tignor, Selma Selena Urbina, Titus Wade, Hanako Wakatsuki-Chong, AJ Waters, Jesse Wilhite, and Ben Wixon
Steel Bridge Skatepark in Old Town PAC tasks and activities will include:
- Bring a unique lived experience and expertise to the conversation
- Confirm and elevate community priorities for skatepark and plaza design and programming opportunities
- Serve as a liaison between PP&R and community stakeholder groups
- Work with our design team to provide feedback and input on ideas, programming, and design concepts of the skatepark and plaza
- Meet 5-6 times (virtually and in-person) in 2025