Near as I can tell this is a new model for DIY skateparks, or for that matter, skateparks in general. Court 2.0 is a project to replace the DIY spot known as “Courts,” located on the Portland State University campus. Originally the site of derelict tennis courts, it became a permission spot for what was supposed to be a 1 year trial period. Basically, a sanctioned spot to build or bring your own obstacles. That spot was always going to be temporary, and PSU is going to begin construction of an art building on that site. In a lesson learned at Burnside, key to a DIY spot is being a good neighbor. Organizers have managed to secure a 300k grant to develop a new spot nearby, again with the blessing of PSU. This new spot will add a few amenities missing from the old spot, notably a set of skate able ledges somewhat disguised as seating. It’s important to note these obstacles are not concrete, and are therefore reconfigurable, but not in the model of the institutional modular skateparks. This is truly community driven.

If you follow SkateDIY then you know who Clayton Graul is. If you’re ready to level up your DIY skate spot building projects you should check out his new venture California Transitions for your concrete finishing needs. It isn’t cheap, but if you’re going to do it, you might as well do it right! They come in handheld and pole mounted version, and since they are hand made, they can be customized if you have a specific need.

Chris of Good Roads Collective is the uncontested the King of D.I. Y. skateboards. In the photo above he’s holding a board where the only things he didn’t make himself are the axles, mounting hardware, bearings, and grip tape. Yes, that is a home pressed skateboard, hand poured urethane wheels, 3D printed riser pads, and home cast trucks complete with hand poured urethane bushings and pivot cup. Let that sink in. He essentially made the whole damned thing himself, and he’s got videos and products that can help you do the same thing. Aside from the stuff he sells, he’s also got open source projects with files you can download for free if you want to save some cash or modify them in any way. In addition to skateboards, he also tackles fingerboard pressing and snowboard construction. It’s an arrogance-free channel. He doesn’t claim to be a definitive expert in any of these concentrations, and freely illustrates the mistakes he makes. If you’re interested in any of this, I’d recommend following any of the links in this paragraph, but be prepared to disappear down a rabbit hole. Chris has a Patreon account if you feel like helping him out. About…

Once again proving semi interesting things come to those with OCD who wait… While updating the Vintage Skate Magazine Advert gallery I thought I recognized this Top Line ad for a “Do it Yourself Skateboard Kit.” I was the subject of a post 4 years ago, and now we know it dates to 1975 since it appears in the Fall 1975 issue of Skateboarder magazine. Check out the advert and/or the original post.

It’s not unusual to hear about a school program for pressing skateboards, but Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, Oregon goes a few steps beyond that.  Skateboard Engineering is a half a year elective that also goes delves into 3D design, using CAD software to design trucks, 3D printers for prototyping, and their on-site foundry and machine shop for actually manufacturing trucks.  I’ve been visiting their open house for a couple years now, and each time I go they’ve added more to the program. The curriculum is evolving as the teacher learns more. He did not have a previous background in skateboarding, but rightly thought it would be something that students would be into.

A spare cordless drill and a few parts from the hardware store is all you need to make your own electric skateboard. Start with a round wire brush, right angle bit holder, flexible bit extension, and some nuts and bolts. Just ad a skateboard with large size wheels and you’re good to go. I’m curious how long a charge on drill would last. This seems more like a fun project to do with kids than a viable transportation solution. Much nicer than this one. [Source: BoingBoing] – Thanks to MC for the tip.

Seeing this gofundme campaign from Rob Kendall reminded me of the “Weird Woods of Maine” picture I posted a couple years ago. Yes, that does look familiar. Weird Woods of Maine was the cryptic name given for the spot, which is not so cryptic anymore. Rob owns Weird Woods Skateboards. His campaign is to help finance a 5 mile skate track on the same property, which will probably be the world’s largest. 5 miles of connected transitions boggles my mind. You?

Good news from the Troutdale Skatepark Alliance. A new skatepark has been approved by vote for the city’s Master Parks Plan. There’s no funding yet, but there is a donation bucket at Cal Skate in Portland.

Burnside is still in the news. The Mercury has a cautious, but upbeat take on the future of Burnside.

More coverage of the history of Burnside, this time from local weekly paper the Willamette Week, includes about 13 minutes of video and oral history in Under the Bridge.