In an unanticipated move, the Association's land use chair questioned why SPS would pursue a roof for year-round skateboarding but not lights. After all, he reasoned, the sun is gone by 5:00pm in the dead of winter, which leaves kids with little real opportunity to skate in the winter after school.

We couldn't agree more. However, concern had been expressed about including lights in the new skatepark proposal so SPS decided not to pursue it at this time. Lo and behold, the one remaining idea to implement the complete vision of the skatepark came not from SPS, but directly from the community. St. Johns voted not only to support the roof, but adopted a resolution calling for lights at the skatepark.

SPS is 100% satisfied with this outcome. To review, Portland's first public skatepark developed with full skater participation will: - be designed and built at cost by the world leader, Dreamland Skateparks; - include terrain to accommodate every ability level from novice to expert; - include a roof for year-round skating; and - likely include lights to augment natural light in times of need; - with complete consent of the adjacent neighborhood and Portland Parks & Recreation.

This is the future of skateparks in Portland.