I was trying to get my skate on the other day but still dragged the camera out for a rare appearance. It seems the only thing I do less than skating lately is take photos, so here are a few warm up shots.

Dan Hughes left a link in the comments as I was getting to make this post, but that’s not going to stop me. I didn’t realize from our earlier shots that there were actually three full pipes at the Myrtle Creek, Oregon park. I thought the other one was just a small entry door. Turns out its a full pipe entrance to the a less-tranny section. I say “less-tranny” section because I wouldn’t exactly call it a “street” section. Head on over to Northwest Skater for the shots

This week’s Shot of the Week is from Carl Warren who sent in more pictures of the Hood River construction. By the time I got around to posting them, Estes had sent in some more that leapfrogged the progress. I liked the long exposure of the finishing at night, so this is a good excuse to post it even though it’s not “news” anymore. I was so far behind that I had to backdate the previous SOTW. There are a couple more shots from Carl after the jump, otherwise, check out this week’s Shot of the Week.

It’s just starting to sink in how ridiculous the abundance of skatepark terrain is getting in Oregon. If you live here you get a little desensitized to it, but seriously, it’s amazing. Hood River is GOING OFF! Thanks to Mike Estes for the pics. You remember him right? He might think about coming back if we’re all nice to him. Considering some of the recent comment flame wars, it seems unlikely. Hey everyone, the best way to foil a comment crackpot is to not respond to the guilty party in the first place. Oops, I’m off topic on my own post. I must be some sort of communist, punk, whiny liberal, pad wearing, radical dog hating baby. Enjoy the pics of Hood River. Your body (of concrete) is a wonderland.

Billy Runaway from Addikt Skateboards sent in a few snaps of the newly created Myrtle Creek, Oregon skatepark built by Grindline. An 8,500 square foot park is pretty darn good for a town with a population of 3,419 in the 2000 census.

Finally checked out Canby skatepark yesterday. It was a nice afternoon and the locals were ripping. It’s all small and kinky and I didn’t stay long but it seemed like it could be fun.

We’ve got some shots of the newly finished Dreamland creation in Harrisburg, Oregon skatepark courtesy of Ryan Hass. It’s a 10,000 square foot facility, which is roughly three square feet per citizen of Harrisburg! It’s set to open on Sunday December 7th at 2:00pm. The location is on the south side of Smith Street, between the fire station and 6th Street.

I don’t know what the heck they are building out in Hood River, but the more I see the better it gets. Carl Warren sent these pics of some expansion work. They are labeled “Mouse Trap” which calls to mind Pier Park, but the images don’t make it obvious. Whatever it is, I can’t wait till it’s done.

Imagine the surprise the first time an unsuspecting tennis player showed up here. I’ve seen pictures of concrete tranny on asphalt surfaces before. Although generally a bad idea, It’s not entirely unheard of unfortunately, and especially in New England. Sprague, Connecticut has a skateboard facility that was built on top of a disused tennis court, which has a surface that should be better than most asphalt parking lots. Concrete Disciple user BillyBonebrake posted a bunch of shots and some background information on the project. I guess we might need a field office in Connecticut if the last few days are going to be typical. I wonder if Billy Bonebrake is related to D.J. Bonebrake? – Thanks to Mac for the tip.

The Portland Tribune has an article about The Steel Bridge skatepark project. Not really noteworthy, but there are some funny comments left by the “community” of readers, starting off with a bang from a NIMBY complaining of rampant drug use, violence and assorted crimes. Some of them are actually valid, but most are just gross exaggerations of behavior that isn’t limited or necessarily promoted by skateparks. Some are downright fabricated, as they claim illegal activities at a park that isn’t even open yet! Let’s be honest, skateparks attract kids. Not all of those kids actually skate. If anything, it ought to make it easier for police to prevent crimes, if all the criminals will allegedly be drawn to skateparks like moths to flame. Actually, let’s make that more like pointed metal objects are drawn to an unsuspecting cartoon character with a large magnet unknowingly stuck in his pants. UPDATE: Another article in Daily Journal of Commerce where the words landscape architecture loom large.