TRUTH AND FICTION: SKATERS IN THEIR OWN WORDS

FICTION: Skaters are “the wrong element” and do not “belong” in our community, neighborhood, etc.

TRUTH: We are already in the community. We are your children and neighbors. We work and pay the same taxes to support our parks. We worked together for the benefit of all Portland citizens to pass the Parks Levy.

FICTION: Skaters are just degenerate kids.

TRUTH: Skaters are among the most diverse recreational groups. The average age is 14, (National Sporting Goods Association, 2000) but some of us start as young as 5 and continue into our 40s and beyond. Some of us own homes and businesses. Everyone, regardless of background, who respects others at skateparks is welcome at our skateparks.

FICTION: Skaters like to harm other people’s property.

TRUTH: Skaters like to skate. No more, no less. The City of Portland has never provided safe, legal, sufficient facilities to call our own. We have had no choice but to skate on sidewalks and other locations. Consider that skateboarding today, with 16 million enthusiasts nationwide, is more popular than baseball for kids ages 6-17 (National Sporting Goods Association, 2000). Portland offers 193 municipally supported baseball fields and only one (decrepit) skatepark (at Pier Park). Essentially 193 to 0. Where are we to skate?

FICTION: Skateparks are a civic menace and communities are not supporting them.

TRUTH: Skateboarding is the nation’s fastest growing sport (Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association, 2000) and there are between 1000 and 1200 municipal skateparks in the USA, with approximately 3 new skateparks opening each week (USA Today, July 30, 2002).

FICTION: Skateparks are unpleasantly loud.

TRUTH: From 100 feet directly away, the single loudest, instantaneous skatepark sound level is 65 decibels, “comparable to the level of a moderate conversation between two individuals.” (Noise Control Office, City of Portland Office of Planning and Development Review, 2001). The closest home to the proposed skatepark location in Westmoreland Park, adjacent to Hwy 99 and the railroad, is more than 450 feet away. “I guarantee [the neighboring homes] won’t hear the skatepark.” Ken Worcester, West Linn Parks & Recreation director who recently opened a residential skatepark in West Linn.

FICTION: Skateboarding is dangerous.

TRUTH:

Injuries/100 participants:
Hockey	2.7
Football	2.2
Baseball	1.8
Basketball	1.6
Bicycling	1.1
Skateboarding*	0.7

*Skateboarders skating for less than a week account for 1/3 of all injuries (US Consumer Product Safety Commission 2002; American Sports Data Inc. 2002).

FICTION: Only males skate and therefore public money shouldn’t be spent for just males.

TRUTH: 15% of all skaters are female (National Sporting Goods Association, 2000). How many females play football? How many municipal dollars and square feet in public parks are dedicated to football?

FICTION: Skaters are incapable of representing themselves and articulating their needs.

TRUTH: Skaters for Portland Skateparks, founded by attorney Tom Miller and graphic designer Sonny Robertson, together have nearly 50 years of experience with skateboarding. SPS is supported by a wide range of skaters, many with decades of experience, including founders of the world-famous Burnside Skatepark.