Closing The World’s First DIY Skatepark

[@gepettowins]

I feel like it can't be overstated that this level of buy-in from the city doesn't come over night. As someone who grew up skating Burnside, I saw how skaters took care of the space, went to town hall meetings to advocate, and managed the relationship with the city and neighbors... Now, 20 some years later, it still takes a ton of organizing and advocating to try to keep a DIY spot around and they get torn out all the time. People at the city never get it at first (with some exceptions)-they always think it brings crime or the wrong crowd, and skaters have to repeatedly articulate and demonstrate the value, and build the relationship. Now imagine a DIY making it long enough to become a world-famous ICON. That's why the city is listening to us-we've been talking to them for a long time.

[@laikenjordahl7884]

thank you for your service king

[@chezzebait1786]

id rather ask for forgivness than permission , fuck em

[@thestinkyweasel6297]

It's incredibly cool that the city is on board with keeping such a legendary spot. It sucks that it will be closed for so long, but at least the community gets to keep it in the end.

[@wolfpecker5710]

For real! I was happily surprised to see a city would care so much about a spot that was technically a DiY spot! Really happy for the Portland skate scene.

[@LeslieDugger]

@@wolfpecker5710 if you know Portland at all, its would actually be surprising if they closed it for good.

[@tylernilson7021]

nice pun

[@CGoody564]

Wait, what's going on? They're closing it but keeping it? Why? I'm failing to see the purpose here.

[@CGoody564]

​​@@LeslieDugger no offense, but the skaters who come to skate that park are not Portland's issue, and if you think closing the park is going to make the city any better, you're delusional. If anything it's going to take a reason away for decent people to come to the city.

[@Drgoldthumb]

Glad they are planning on keeping it. It’s a national monument in my eyes. It should be put on the historic landmark register to protect it forever.

[@thhhx]

Once it’s a landmark it can’t be touched which would mean no more DIY changes. Horrible idea.

[@dirtybang1719]

Exactly

[@aWhimTested]

It probably prompted a lot of people moving to Portland.

[@GratefulEd907]

It’s only 35 years old it’s not really historical 😂😂😂

[@microchrist6122]

👎 👎

[@therealjd1503]

I’m just glad they understand the importance of keeping that park

[@ZackDowdy]

Very true!

[@happyskating2000]

Yea, in the grand scheme of things it being closed for five years and then to be around for another 50+ who knows how long it could last after that

[@microchrist6122]

Importance ? lol

[@printisdead1983]

No bureaucrat gives a shit about anything but red tape, they sure as shit dont give a fuck about skating or how anyone feels, just like a politician or city council, they are literally there to SERVE THE INTRESTS OF THE PPL THAT FUND THEM, FUCK THE GOVERNMENT IN ITS CURRENT STATE

[@josephpotts4233]

I wish they would understand the importance of keeping people off fentanyl in Portland. The place is crap hole.

[@chrisprysok7634]

The fact that these ppl are even taking the park into consideration is amazing.

[@tynanbarnes6506]

Being a Portland native the city knows there would he mass revolt if they messed with the park

[@smilinkylen5621]

I'm from Portland, and seeing those photos of the original concrete ramps was SO cool!!!! Awesome video, thank you for putting this all together.

[@HUSSEINHEFNER]

Me too! Used to hang there waaaaay back when.... 😊

[@shredmajor700]

Zack, I'm a 3D artist currently studying DIY skateparks and I am so grateful for all this footage in this video of the Burnside park. Thank you for taking the time to make this and get involved.

[@CGoody564]

A drone could probably get you some very detailed footage to map

[@portlandsb]

im from portland and one time when i was in high school i tried to make as close to scale model of Burnside in the Skate 3 map designer. That shit was fire

[@chaseadams4914]

Do feralcatcove portland oregon

[@shredmajor700]

​@@portlandsbomg I loved that map editor. You took me right back in time. Many hours were spent creating ridiculous skateparks in dimly lit basements lol.

[@GratefulEd907]

It’s mapped out on Tony hawk pro skater

[@DerekRichardson503]

It's a landmark of history for future generations to enjoy.

[@thrildmedia8798]

Skateboarding would be nothing without Burnside. So grateful for every Dreamland and Grindline park we have because of this place.

[@Kxrben]

Im so lucky to live literally a 5 min walk from this unique and legendary skate spot, the city cut a chunk of it off to build a skyscraper next to the bridge, but still got some cool new features over the last few years, so its nice to know that the city wants it to remain as well. Cant wait for the holloween party this year.

[@MikeyTrippz]

brent atchley is probably one of my favorite skaters to watch skate this park....180 on the pillar is crazy...he definitely has torn this place to shreds

[@albinoyak2755]

Dude his part in elementality was mind blowing to me when I was little, his style was IT to me as a kid.

[@nathanfulgham5813]

He's got the smoothest style !......makes it look so easy!

[@Dechral]

used to go sit and watch from above on my breaks when I went to school/work in Portland. They can never get rid of burnside!

[@llamajuice]

That huge apartment complex that got built next door worked with the skatepark to install lighting to help brighten up the skatepark now that their building blocks a ton of the sunlight that'd get down there. That huge apartment complex exists in the THPS 1+2 remastered version of this park. I have hope and faith that the city will take care of that park, but I do hope that they're able to keep it open as much as possible. It's an insane spot. And I love the Free Willy mural on the wall, to celebrate the park's inclusion in that film from back in the day.

[@juaquinsilva2007]

They also keep the lights on 24/7 so people don’t live normal 9to 5 lives can ride there #GOBIKEBURNSIDE in the morning or late nights.

[@blistabliss]

As long as ur respectful at the right times and don't fuck up concrete with disasters etc. Funniest video of these scooter KZbin famous kids riding there and they were such little cunts. Setting up tripods and shit everywhere. Tbh doesn't seem like a great bike spot besides it not being allowed. Do you roll in on the 7ft and hit the hip? Doesn't seem very bike conducive. Anyway keep it right keep it tight but people that don't know have been spanked for sure.

[@blistabliss]

Actually fuck that ride it respectfully but don't promote biking there. That's never gonna happen. Peace ✌️ and ❤️ still though.

[@juaquinsilva2007]

@@blistabliss hahahaha your so funny and cute have a good day knowing you now Know nothing about burnside! Have a good week. #keeponhating #findoutthetruth #whodoyouknow hahahaha who’s sage who is rats who is frank who is pigpen who is goose? DIY or DIE Fuck around and find out.

[@juaquinsilva2007]

@@blistabliss pay your dues! Wtf have you done. lol Rest in power Qman!

[@GoldStreet09]

Great job, Zach. Other than the ridiculous algorithm-driven title, I appreciate your journalism. I’m wrapping up a career doing public policy work at the Federal Government level. I’ve worked with agency folk and electeds in Portland and up and down the West Coast. I guarantee you local poli’s and agency people know about a place like Burnside and its regional significance. You did a great job showing that straight up. They don’t see improving the brdge and preserving the park as mutually exclusive, because there are always good solutions possible.

[@GoldStreet09]

For what it’s worth, I’m sure the City of Seattle and Washington DOT will have to contend with the same concerns at Seattle’s West Marginal DIY. It’s built under State Route 509 and will need earthquake treatment in the next decade.

[@NeilSutherlandME]

2:22 just FYI this is an outdated and exaggerated look at what could happen. Burnside is one of 10+ bridges in the area. A few are earthquake resistant. In addition, not much river traffic flows south (upstream) in the Willamette. The vast majority stays on the much larger Columbia. For reference, in the 10 years I've lived in Portland, I've seen the Burnside bridge up twice (once for testing, once for fleet week).

[@princequestly2218]

It’s really awesome that the city plans on keeping it, I hope everything stays on track for the skaters.

[@DreamEvilPictures]

Great coverage!!! And great edit, this information is really important for the skate community to know. Yet, there is still so much we don't know, that the city does not know... or have yet to release! Thank you for the shoutout with the Concrete Law film too. Navigating bureaucracy for nearly 8 years to legalize an iconic DIY skatepark was insane, but it also shows that community perseverance and solidarity is the reason we won. We are a global DIY family. We shall not give up that easily.

[@MisterElement]

ONE LOVE from Northern California!!!

[@SuperJaffro]

Red was a god to us when we were teenagers, always a gracious guy, and that dude could rip. We would make that road-trip from Seattle anytime someone with a car that could make it that far was willing to drive. As a runaway kid I couldn’t get a parents signature for going to city skate so I would just skate burnside for 10 hour sessions. I remember being there around 7 one night when everyone had gone home for dinner and it was just me and my buddy smoking a bowl. 2 dudes showed up and it turned out it was Tony Hawk and Wade Speyer, now I remember watching Red drop in from the high wall, and just rip the deep pool, but these guys were connecting transitions that I couldn’t have ever imagined. Going from the high wall to hitting the hip by the small pool pillar and coming down the right side of the half pipe below the small pool. Fucking epic. Not only did Burnside set the tone for PNW skaters, to me it was our Mecca. It showed us not just initiative, but radical self independence, and it showed us that if you held the spot down properly and treated visitors well you could gain not just the approval of the non skater locals, but the support. We used that energy to help build skateparks all over Washington. Tearing that place down would be a slap in the face to the spirit of everything Portland claims to be. We also loved to terrorize the racist skinheads in Portland’s pioneer square, but that’s a story for another time.

[@MarioGodoyMusic]

I skated Burnside for the first time last month. It’s almost impossible to skate well on your first session there. Everything is bigger and more awkward than video footage makes you think. Super fun experience though. Looking forward to going back at some point.

[@vZynxy]

thank you dowdy, burnside is the place of places I can only try to state how important this historic place is to us oregonians that skate, burnside is portland, burnside is oregon, it’s skateboarding at its simplest rebellion to normal life

[@P-_-S]

THANK YOU for putting this together. I am not a skater, but I am a fan. I live about half a mile from this bridge and cross it nearly every day during my commute. The bridge definitely needs to get replaced, I get nervous about an earthquake whenever I am stuck on it in traffic, but I had never considered the impact to the skatepark until I saw your video in my feed today. Not going to lie, the headline of this video made my heart skip a beat, but I was pretty blown away to learn how important the preservation of the skatepark has been to the design board during the entire process. Really REALLY awesome that they are committed to it. I do worry a little bit as it's a long government project, the leadership could change hands at some point and the park could get sacrificed to save a few bucks, but given how deeply ingrained the park has been in the design process from the start it does seem like that is less likely to happen. Man... 6 years without a the Burnside bridge is going to be brutal, it's the right call not the waste the resources or increase environmental impact on building a temporary bridge, but that is absolutely going to change the entire flow of the city for over half a decade. I can't even fathom the full impact of that closure, but it isn't going to be pretty.

[@russellzauner]

BROOO thanks for coming up to Oregon! Do more visits!

[@TheAnimeist]

9:05 That is so cool that you captured that line. The dude certainly put in his work.

[@Kirkshelton]

There was a rad DIY in Oakland/Emeryville CA that didn't get a chance. They shut it down just when it started to get good.

[@BackRoadsWine]

We're the comet board guys involved?

[@IMKINDOFABIGDEAL13]

So cool. The city has made these guys great. They have now built a ton of other parks in the area and really mastered the art of park design. The guys that have skated burnside their whole lives are a different type of gnarly. Burnside is a tough spot to skate. ❤

[@steelokey]

Dope I did a documentary on this 13 years ago & they are planning to keep it alive. ✊

[@yeetdatcodeboi]

I find it hard to believe I am not dreaming when I see people with high influence in the matter standing up for skateboarding. Thank you to all who fought to keep the most iconic skateboarding spot in the world alive!

[@froogleislive]

I grew up in Portland and skating Burnside, it used to be sooo much worse, not only crusty but dangerous lol

[@HubCityMan]

I used to sleep in the bowl when i got off freight trains there. It was nice skating the park first thing in the morning

[@idecidenotyou]

In the piss bowl.. yikes

[@HubCityMan]

@idecidenotyou naw the deep bowl. With cardboard too 😁

[@idecidenotyou]

@@HubCityMan yep that's the piss bowl.. 😂

[@idecidenotyou]

@@HubCityMan I've slept there year after year growing up

[@HubCityMan]

@@idecidenotyou sick

[@Marina_Marauder]

I grew up in San Pedro and lived there until I was 22. Channel Street brought us all together and would hold amazing little comps and video release parties and stuff. I'm so stoked it's back and the youth will have a sanctuary and amazing group of locals to help/inspire/mentor!!! 💪 👏 ❤

[@dajovajr]

good job dowder!!! this vid makes me want to go visit before the construction..

[@zack87to87]

its historic! THPS 1 and all the early skate culture footage and figures who made a name for themselves with big moments at that park.

[@punaforager]

Oh man, that’s really nerve racking news. Praying for the skaters and the parks future.

[@sparky3713]

I have been to two meetings for this bridge. The skate park is actually talked about probably the second most behind the design. It actually makes me really proud of Portland that they understand the importance of this awesome landmark.

[@Flipmasternick711]

Great video! Danny T siting! Used to play skate with him every day like 16-17 years ago. Also used to go skate Burnside every summer for years since 93. Its definitely unique

[@bigapeallcity]

Thanks for the excellent video Zack! I've been watching your tutorials on transition so its super awesome to see you cover my favorite local spot. Tons of culture at that part, I grew up there in some respects, I hope to be keeping it burnside forever. From my perspective, I hope that the community of highly skilled athletes at Burnside SP understand that a temporary or partial closure is better than having everything get destroyed by The Big One, whenever it may hit.

[@Tommy-k6g]

I have to say it's refreshing to hear people that have nothing to do with skateboarding acknowledge the historical significance of the park and the need to preserve it. If it has to be closed for a while, obviously that sucks. It's a whole hell of a lot better than it being demolished!

[@derekarmstrong1408]

Crazy. I went there in 2014, it was so nice... Having grown up with our ramps getting trashed constantly, I never understood how it could even exist.

[@ZackDowdy]

They keep maintenance, the same guys who started it still go there to this day!

[@collinmc90]

Man, I remember when I was a kid in Medford Oregon in the 90s Burnside was legendary. I remember people being like "oh man you'll get your ass kicked if you can't skate good there" lol. May have been true back then, not sure.

[@cvltzilla]

it's still true

[@pillarofdawn]

I'm an "alright skater" and I still don't skate Burnside. That park is scary, not for the locals but for the sheer terrain. Its a punishing park, so gnarly

[@collinmc90]

@@cvltzilla as it should be lol

[@yogidemis8513]

I started going to Burnside at 14 in 93 and knew nothing about skating parks, everyone was cool if you just paid attention, and not get in people's way all the time and just paid attention. Gotta learn fast down there.

[@collinmc90]

@@yogidemis8513 makes sense. Sounds pretty similar to the park I went to in Medford. Thankfully the older kid down the street get me straightened out on all that before the park even opened. Don't snake runs, Feel free to try something but get out of the way quickly if it doesn't work out lol.

[@json8172]

Being a Portland Native, It was also cool seeing burnside on a lot of skating video games back in the peak era of the early 2000s.

[@jesusisagurl]

Thanks for the fact based level headed information.

[@LaBaticuerva]

I skated that bowl and its so scary, you made it look easy 😂 sucks being short

[@MaxDavison-g5e]

I have ties to the city officials and they said they talked about options and they are going to do everything to preserve the skatepark. I'm a business owner and I started a savings account to donate to the reconstruction of any damage to the park. The park will not be demolished.

[@thiccboicory9964]

thank god the city has a heart and soul as a skater that has skated there its amazing that they are going to keep it i love it

[@idecidenotyou]

You mean thank satan!!!

[@FDRskatepark]

Burnside and FDR two greatest places in the world

[@duchampsrook]

Great essay, Zack. Great history and update. Kudos to Portland leadership for “keeping it weird” and keeping the historic skatepark intact. The park is iconic to Portland and the Close-in SE Industrial area. Peace out.

[@lunalumafly]

Having grown up in the area, I'm really glad they're doing what they can to keep this around. My mom got us the Tony Hawk games every year for a while, but I was too young when I played THPS3 to remember it being so close by. Might've picked up skating if I'd realized I could skate something from the games for real with just an hour ride on the MAX, it sucks that I didn't play the 1+2 remake until after moving away. Not too late to try something new, maybe someday when visiting family I'll be able to check it out! Great video, really cool seeing some of the history!

[@Bschnizzle]

Great field report and skating of the legend

[@Skate4ever1972]

Bbp Seem down to earth and open minded, So cool to see they care!! Long live Burnside!!

[@russellmadahbee8072]

Ahnii @Zack Dowdy Yay! I want to come skate! Love that line the guy did, and your style is very impressive! Miigwetch/Thank you for sharing

[@cameraop8210]

seems reasonable, the construction manager seemed reasonable and so does the city.

[@boganbattalion7088]

I think it is unreal they are actually saying they would try and save the park! Holy crap I wish my country was like that

[@moshunit96]

So good to hear they understand and acknowledge the importance of this park.

[@True_And_Livin]

No , Thats A Historical Landmark At This Point, A Pure Masterpiece!

[@justinhawks4458]

I picked up a stray bolt there the other day man probably saved your life 😂 😮

[@ZackDowdy]

Thank you!

[@Allium_369]

This is the most iconic skate spot in history! Thanks for the video ! I hope they get it all figured out !

[@joemoreland1925]

Haven't been there since I was a teenager. And I'm 53. Sad to hear that it's going to go. That bowl was awesome on a hot summer day.

[@kyleimpson]

Great video as always Zack! Burnside is a national treasure and must be persevered

[@ZackDowdy]

Thanks Kyle, 100% agree!

[@thomasrainbow]

Great vid man! Was fun watching you skate! Sick back lip! - I'm glad they are doing earthquake preparation and keeping the park in mind.

[@njzeigler4370]

Skipped school and rode Burnside a lot in the 90's, including the day Everclear filmed the Heroin girl video. Was so dirty in those days and open on both sides. Bowl was 2 feet deep in "water" most days and hobos sleeping in the pool. Good times!

[@Blarpington]

Thanks. I have been worried about this new bridge project. I grew up skating burnside and I have met people from all around the world there. It's one of the few international attractions in Oregon.

[@ChrisMosher-l6l]

I feel for the locals,I was so incredibly bumbed when the Tampa bro was closed

[@HARDL3FT]

So Burnside is just going to go through what Channel St went through, jersey barriers in the middle of the park for a few years. That sucks.

[@503punxoioioi9]

Burnside Skatepark is not going to be demolished. It'll never happen. Portland is going to build a new 15 million dollar world-class skatepark in NW Portland called the Steel Bridge Skatepark btw.

[@P-_-S]

Woah, I had not heard about the Steel Bridge park, just pulled up the planning page on the City's website. This is awesome! Seems like it's actually not to far out from construction too, RFP was posted in this past June, closed in August and currently in the selection process. In all likelihood it's still a year or two out from shovels in the ground, but still that means it's well out of the initial approvals and red tape to even get a project like this going in the first place. Thanks for the info!

[@Blondly]

Ive never been to the skatepark and probably never will. I live in London but wow it’s so heartwarming to see how onboard they are with keeping the park and understanding the importance of it. 😊

[@godswittness69]

I chose to call Portland Oregon 💚🌹 my home because of this.

[@KavaKavana]

I grew up skating here. Burnside is the best spot cause it was built by the homies

[@cdubv8718]

So many memories from the 90's.

[@Hrethgir]

I've never skated this park in real life, only on Tony Hawk Pro Skater, my talent level is not good enough for this park. But it's awesome having it around, and glad to see they are planning to keep it alive!

[@ATekFPV]

I used to rollerblade back in its prime and we would session the park on a regular. It was one of those locations you had to justify your presence and throw down something that didn't seem lame AF for a rollerblader. Dropping in on the bite was one of those times I felt a bit of satisfaction getting slaps from around the park. Burnside kinda defined my friend BJ and I's skating days and I will cherish them till the end.

[@mrjohnnyk]

It's basically a landmark by this point.

[@PatrickGoddard]

Great overview of the situation facing Burnside. Very much appreciated!

[@empiremanagement5410]

Thank you Portland for keeping this ledgendary park in the design. Maybe fix it and make it even better while it is closed. This is part of our culture here in Portland, get it back open asap, please.

[@ffrreeddyy123456]

I met Sage Bolyard just a few weeks ago when he was out aT a restaurant here in town! He built my hometown skate park too! It’s wild that it might be going away!! Such a great park!

[@503punxoioioi9]

Everyclear filmed their "Heroin Girl" music video at Burnside Skatepark.

[@juaquinsilva2007]

Yep and all there trash is inside the walls of the park.

[@backseatpalace]

Grateful to have this place as my nearest skatepark, been skating 5 months now and It’s changed my life

[@bennyb.1742]

Burnside is a legend. The condos are not.

[@jenkims1953]

That park is so iconic it literally a mt rushmore of skateparks, People the world over know of this skate park because of how iconic it is. I don't even live in America and i know Burnside just like any other skate park goer around the world.

[@orygun_kyle77]

steven reeves shredding at 5:30

[@alexquintana1031]

Ah thank you....kept thinking the name Donovan Rice but you corrected that for me!

[@flowersmadeofflesh883]

fuck yeah, he shreds!!

[@Drftmatters]

Best thing Portland had going for it for the past 30 years, legendary. Skateboard history

[@chuckyDANKSTAray]

best news i heard all week thank for this, nice riding too cruzin that chill thrasher steez

[@Nollie_Fullcab]

Hey man this was a really good video. Im sure this was a ton of work, but I'd love to see more documentary style videos. Hell I'd even be down to some of the research for you!

[@QuietCam]

[@spencernuzzi]

Really enjoyed this vid dawg!

[@Robert-um7tj]

Hawk, lassik, margera, O, margera. All the greats have shredded this legendary spot.

[@fermented_funk]

holy shit I need to get to burnside

[@openyoureyes7144]

Ripping Zach, I’m a burnside local.. Nice line.

[@alexquintana1031]

In 2004 my buddy and roomate got us Greyhound tickets from Boise and took me to Burnside...he did'nt skate but he knows about the cultural significance of that place since he was from Portland. After that we went to this thing called Saturday Market where I bought a pipe and lighter...now that I think about it I think I still have that lighter!

[@sketchypeoplepdx]

This Portlander can't skate worth a crap but I LOVE going to that park and just watching. The vibe and aura is EPIC!

[@XelaSnikliw-fg8wu]

I hope they stay true to their word. Happy Bday Burnside! I was born on Halloween too! Plus the new skatepark going up in Old Town! Righteous! Shred on Red! 🤙

[@noahwolcott5262]

I'm from Baltimore (I like Jake's skatepark) and once I heard them talk about the hypothetical bridge collapse I was like "Oh, yep. Makes sense now"

[@4LK_H2O]

SOUNDS LIKE THE FDR SKATEPARK COMMUNITY NEEDS TO HELP ADVOCATE FOR THESE GUYS!

[@brianhutchinson7863]

I got info. I skated Burnside once and it was siiick!

[@brianhutchinson7863]

First time I saw a spine. I rode straight up into a tail stall and flowed out and up the pillar first try skating anything like that. It was quite a feeling. I'm not the type to say stuff like it was magical but it was magical.

[@brianhutchinson7863]

When I saw you're video title I was pissed. I immediately watched and glad to have learned it's going to be preserved.

[@brianhutchinson7863]

That Shark Mural is tight.

[@WorldMoneyWins]

I used to love skating there as a Portland native.

[@its_notta_cedar]

That v tower design looks dope.

[@vZynxy]

MY BOY BEN MADE IT!

[@ashtraydekay6624]

in vancouver we have "leeside skatepark" which is built under a bridge, and it was built the exact same way, just by a bunch of skaters, the guy who started the park Lee Matasi was shot down in a random shooting just after starting the park. i was just there last night for a skate session

[@benmadd6577]

Nice meeting you🐊

[@davidpiper4502]

I thought I saw you and Chase!

[@ZackDowdy]

Likewise!

[@chaseadams4914]

​@davidpiper4502 thought I might join this comment party I'm surprised you saw me I was setting up a board!😭😭

[@nankingkyle]

This type of video is awesome! Shoutout from China man !

[@Alamar1]

I love the narration in the absolute worst-case doom-and-gloom simulation video of the earthquake aftermath that assumes the Marquam, Hawthorne, Morrison, Burnside, Steel, Broadway, and Fremont bridges all collapse, leaving Portland "divided by the Willamette".

[@P-_-S]

That did make me chuckle a little too, but to be fair, none of the other bridges outside of Tilikum Crossing, Fremont, and Markham are likely to survive an big earthquake right now. We wouldn't be truly divided like that that video was trying to portray, but it would pretty around here.

[@poesgro9022]

Before that complex there was a parking lot yes. And a rollin and table top that was removed.