I’ve been making half hearted attempts to put together a Cannonball Run of Oregon skateparks for several years. The Cannonball Run is one of those ideas that sounds fun but is actually quite a chore if you decide to undertake it. Every time I would suggest it I would get a few non committal grunts or “that sounds annoying.” It turns out most people would rather spend their time actually skating instead of driving from spot to spot and having to leave just as you get warmed up. Leave it to MC to actually put the plan into motion. He tried one earlier this winter but kind of gave up half way through due to weather and lack of sunlight. In Washington a crew had a similar experience. When Old Man Army decided to give it a go in Arizona, MC picked up the torch and ran with it. It wasn’t publicized as an event on Skate and Annoy because Mark had planned to hit some private bowls on the way and didn’t want to bring the troops along. At the last minute (literally) I talked him into just hitting public parks for the sake of continuity. In the car he was still inclined to hit one well known private spot in particular because he was afraid we wouldn’t get to all sixteen. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed. Heck, we could have easily squeaked in a seventeenth since we drove right by Oregon City on the way to West Linn.

Sure, we have some of the most famous parks in the world, but we also have our share of clunkers. During one of my many customary visits to SkateOregon, I decided to investigate the page dedicated to the “Skate Trac” in Prineville Oregon. What a gem! Oh save me, Tony Hawk Foundation. I still say this is better than phase one of Salem.

Notice there is no “P” in our ool. Sure, we like to complain about the rain here in the Northwest, but when it does dry off for a day or so, you can usually get your runs in. At worst, you might need the help of a squeegee, a pile of rags or the occasional weed burner. This park in Encino(?) actually has a sump pump but no electricity, according to the thread on Old Man Army. Yes, there’s a lot of OMA crossover here lately. No, that guy isn’t actually peeing in a pool, he’s hanging a tape measure into a skatepark bowl. Hit the link to see larger versions and additional shots. – Thanks to Concretins for the tip.

Sixteen skateparks in one day. This shot above is Gabe from Salem at the Aumsville park which was our last stop. I wonder how the guys in Arizona did on theirs? More pics and details to follow. In the meantime, Conahan put up a park shot from each spot via cell phone on Antigrav Remote.

Hey guys, I work for the Tualatin Hills Parks District, and this morning my boss gave me word that the Thursday after next the parks district will be having an open house with Grindline to hear from local people what they would prefer for a NOVICE skatepark. I highlight novice because I know if there’s anyone that’s all about ripping the deep end, it’s MC…

I swear, if I hear any complaining about building novice parks for beginners, you are all fired, kicked off the staff, team or whatever! I hear that they might consider a bowl if there is enough interest, but please, let’s not stack the deck. Instead we should consider the needs of the community. Plus, a good novice park might draw all the little scrappers away from the more advanced parks in the region.

So there you have it. When: Thursday February 28. 6pm- 8pm. Where: Dryland Conference Room at the Howard M Terpenning Recreation Complex. 15707 SW Walker Road, Beaverton, OR 97006. Additioanl information contact Wendy Bell, Park planner at 503 529 6305 x2932, or wbell at thprd dot com.

Two mediocre shots of Dave and Damien from some recent sessions at the DOS bowl in Portland. Mediocre because of the photographer, not the skaters. Enlarge the action after the jump. They recently added lights to the bowl and now you can actually see back there. Where as it used to be like skating in a very dusty closet, it’s almost too bright now! With the fairly new birch layer and the sudden illumination, it’s like the bowl riders are now more than an afterthought there. Thanks guys! These shots were taken mid installation, so it’s actually a lot brighter now.

This Week’s Shot of the Week is Marc Haziza at the newly opened Skatepark of Paris, taken by Frederic Lannois. Check out the full size version. Look at those seams and you’ll see it’s a prefab concrete park. But, hey! Check out that roof! Sure could use one of those around here.

When he’s not busy sponsoring every ripper in a two state radius, he’s giving back to the community, even when it’s not his community! Clark County’s Parks last email contained the following bit of info on a local Portland skateboarding industry big wig, (Well, biggest in Portland!) Some idiots set fire to the Vancouver WA park cleaning supplies box (Dudes, HILARIOUS!) and Colin Sharp (colin, not evil Colin) stepped up to resupply it.

New Storage Cabinet Installed at Park; Supplies Donated by Bacon Skateboards

The plastic cleaning supply cabinet that was set on fire and destroyed at the park about 2 months ago has been replaced with a big metal cabinet. In case you’re curious, this is just a basic cleaning supply cabinet. We have a group of local skaters and BMX riders who signed up to be stewards of the park and each have keys to the cabinet, along with the county’s park maintenance people. The contents of the cabinet are: a couple of shop brooms, a long-handled squeegee, dust pans, the emergency access ladder for the two bowls, and some other basic cleaning supplies.

Most of these supplies were generously donated to the park by Colin Sharp at from Portland to replace what was destroyed in the fire (see attached photo). If you would like to become a park steward, please contact me directly and I’ll get you a key.

Let’s hope vancouver locals aren’t headed down the same path as Aumsville locals. Collin looks stoked in that shot, about as as stoked as he will be when he sees this post! Go Collin! Kids, buy some Bacon Skateboards so he can pay for that broom!

Add another one to the list. Old Man Army is gearing up for the Cannonball Run on February 16th. They are starting bright and early at 6am with plans to hit 16 parks in one day. It’s a lot easier if it’s not freezing or raining, or both. If you are in the AZ area check it out. I’m pretty sure these guys wouldn’t discriminate against you if you aren’t old or a man for that matter. You can see the flyer enlarged after the jump, although I suppose it would make more sense to go directly to the source.

I got a my film back from Saturday’s Lincoln City trip. Here are a couple of additional views of the snake run in progress. Link to a larger view after the jump.