A new skatepark coming together in Kona, Hawaii: We are raising money for the next phase of what will be a close to 30,000 sf. Dreamland skatepark in Kona, Hawaii right next to the ocean. The Dreamland crew were here last month and completed their first phase of what will be atleast 4 phases total as money becomes available. This is a design/build project by Dreamland skateparks – We just have to raise the funds. Anything helps and ads up to anyone that donates it would be greatly appreciated. More info at Kona Skatepark web site for the 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization. Nice to hear Dreamland in the news again. 50-50.com has a few more Kona photos and more news for other parks in Hawaii if you’re curious.

Brooklyn Street Skate Spot benefit on Saturday FRIDAY. Mr. Hand isn’t it ok to have a little food on our time? Mr. Spicoli your absoloutly right. It is our time. Yours, mine and everyone elses.

L.A. is going to ban bombing hills after two recent deaths. This is also bad news for Portland skaters fighting a similar ban in the Zoo Bomb neighborhood, although the ban isn’t an outright skateboard ban. They just want skateboarders to observe the traffic laws like stop signs and speed limits. Really, you can’t blame them for that. Portland’s coalition is asking for the same thing in lieu of an outright ban. The end result is that it will still be illegal to have a speed run downhill. Skateboarders aren’t usually prone to following rules and regulations regarding our useless wooden toys. Serious hill bombing will still happen, but maybe it will keep some of the yahoos away. [Source: “Los Angeles City Council bans skateboard ‘bombing’ after San Pedro deaths” – via the Daily Breeze.]

I’ve been strangely silent on the downhill controversy in Portland, not by design, but through a series of slip ups and dropped balls. Long story short: Some people on a very popular downhill skateboarding (and bike) route in a ritzy are of Portland are trying to get skateboarding banned on their streets because they are allegedly worried about safety, and of course, property damage. Portland has legalized skateboarding on city streets with the exception of a small area downtown. If we allow people to decide willy nilly which streets are OK for skateboarding then we might as well make it all illegal. Downhill activists have been working with the city and the community for a year now trying to make sure skaters follow traffic laws on the hill to avoid having it completely shut down. Video on local PDX news after the jump. – Thanks to Donny for the tip.

Here’s a short promo for Board Rescue, an organization that we’ve featured here before. so here’s a refresher. Board Rescue, a 501(c)(3) non profit company has been in operation since 2008. Their mission is to provide skateboards and safety equipment to organizations that work with underprivileged and or at-risk youth throughout the United States. Board Rescue’s founder, Gary Holl, had the opportunity to work with two talented multimedia design students Paula Viidu and Niclas Facius on a short video that shows the positive impact Board Rescue has made to one of its many recipient organizations. “I hope that everyone gets a chance to see this short film because it tells our story. It validates that our efforts at Board Rescue play a huge part in the success of the organizations that we donate to. The parents, teachers and other academic support staff see the positive results. And of course the children and ultimately their communities benefit greatly. ” said Holl.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin locals who aren’t content to wait for the Turf to be dug up again or settle for facilities like the one you see above (no joke!) have taken things into their own hands. RideMKE is a non-profit organization committed to establishing sustainable concrete parks in Milwaukee. (MKE is the airport code for Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport.) The first item on the agenda is to clean up and improve the abortion that is Estabrook park, but the ultimate goal is to spread concrete to new locations. The county is on board because it isn’t costing them anything. Check the story out on OnMilwaukee.com, or stop by RideMKE blog or Facebook page.

They’ve got the rest of the month to raise $17,000 (in addition to the $58,000 already raised) and then the Baltimore City Department of Rec and Parks will match their funds with a donation of 75,000. They also received a Tony Hawk Foundation grant, One thing that might help, add a Paypal button. DONATE, for the love of John Waters.

Friends of Pier Park and Solv will be doing another Pier Park Pickup next Saturday from 9-12. Trash pickup around the skatepark, paint over graffiti, probably paint the bottom of the big bowl, patch the coping grout, etc. Come lend a hand.

The Benton County Skateboarding Alliance (BCSA) is hosting the 5th annual Art & Music Benefit to raise money for improvements to the Eric Scott McKinley Skate Park in Corvallis. We have over $13,500 of the $75,000 to $90,000 needed for the first phase—(a 3,000 sq ft skate bowl). Additional phases include: advanced street terrain, Eric Scott McKinley memorial, and improved family facilities (seating, BBQs, etc). All media is accepted; Art must be ready to hang or display. The BCSA is inviting available local artists to help hang art and work the art show (arrangements must be made in advance). Artists that help with the show may get up to 60% of the proceeds from their art sales otherwise artists are asked donate at least 60% of their art sales to the skate park fund. Space may be limited so the BCSA may have to limit the number of pieces accepted. Thank you for your interest in this event. The show is planned for June 02, 2012 at the Corvallis Elks Lodge. The deadline for art submissions is May 12, 2012. For more information, contact the BCSA: bcskateboardingalliance@gmail.com I threaten to go to this every year, but they won’t sign my…

Portland Parks and Recreation is out of money. The red tape has been more or less cleared for the rest of Portland’s planned 19 skateparks, but there just isn’t any funding. Somebody in Southeast Portland must be doing some real grass roots work for this meeting to even be on the table. Unless I’m mistaken, Portland communities don’t have to wait for the city. If they can raise money, they can get it built. Powell Park was identified as a location for a skatespot. We are inviting you to hear more about the project timeline and a unique public/private partnership that will allow us to take steps toward implementing our Skatepark System Plan. The open house will provide information on the project, proposed timeline, fundraising goals, and give the community a chance to make their interest, support, ideas, and concerns heard. When: Thursday April 5, from 6-7:30 p.m. Where: Cleveland High School, Library (3400 SE 26th Ave.) Be there or fee free not to complain when it’s finished.