Make sure your D.I.Y. isn’t D.O.A.

This D.I.Y. spot in SE Portland only lasted a couple of weeks. The spot had been home to a wooden bench made by skaters for at least a year before this bank went up. The neighborhood reaction was positive, but obviously someone in the City of Portland wasn’t impressed. The builders opted for the “it’s better to ask forgiveness than to ask for permission” tactic, but it didn’t work out, obviously. I applaud the effort, but in this case the location was too ostentatious. Choose your renegade spots wisely kids. In a situation like this (a well used public park, already frequented by skaters) it would be advisable to get it sanctioned first. Write up a nice proposal. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but use a spell checker. Talk about the benefits and address negative concerns. Spin it as a community project. Get a petition signed by neighbors and park users, than take all this to the Parks department. The fact that you aren’t asking for money might help your chances. Stress the small overall size of the obstacle and minimal impact on the surroundings. Good luck!

Thanks to… I’m not telling. That kid in the green shirt is in trouble though.

Working it.

Later that night, looking good!

You can’t skate in flip flops, campus cruising excluded, so that must be an interested onlooker.