Last Thursday, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) held the first public engagement session for the Berrydale Park Skatepark Project. Staff invited community members to share their desires for the Park and participate in an online survey. The survey questions focus on the skatepark attributes and style. Other questions gather demographic information and gauge interest in general Park improvements that could become part of this project.

The event featured poster boards displaying four panels that included a multitude of skatepark design options. The same images appear in the survey to guide specific questions. The chosen images do not represent any particular plans for this Park but instead, provide general examples of various skatepark designs. The survey will remain open until Thursday, July 30.

Last week’s meeting was the first of three events that will take place ahead of construction. The following public engagement sessions will take place in Fall 2021 and Winter 2022. Crews will begin work in Spring of 2023, with a targeted completion date of Fall 2024. Much of the design work is months away. However, PP&R planers have determined the placement of the skatepark and committed to frontage improvements around the Park.

As part of this project, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will require sidewalks, curbs, and curb ramps around Berrydale Park’s parameters. Currently, SE Talyor Street and SE 89th Ave do not have sidewalks. Improvements may also come to the existing sidewalk on SE 92nd Ave. The park improvement presentation in the Fall will include some design details around this frontage work.

PP&R coordinated with the neighboring Creative Science School to place the skatepark within the Park’s southeast corner. School administrators requested that its position allow school staff to see into the area from the school parking lot. Additionally, PP&R planners wanted to avoid any tree removal or demolition of existing park amenities. A small clearing near the school meets both conditions and provides a clear choice for placement.

Participate in the online survey within the next few days and look for a notice regarding the next phase of planning in the Fall. Outside of the survey, direct questions and comments about this project to Ken Rumbaugh, PP&R Community Engagement Coordinator, at 971-269-9042 or ken.rumbaugh@portlandoregon.gov