About
Burnside Skatepark was created in the early 1990s by local skaters seeking shelter from Portland’s relentless rain. Built without permission at first, it became one of the earliest and most iconic DIY skateparks in the world, later legitimized and embraced as part of the city’s culture.
Its gritty concrete forms and unique location under the Burnside Bridge have earned it global recognition, even inspiring the Portland level in the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video game series. Fittingly, an ambulance call center sits just across the street, ready for when ambitious tricks meet hard landings.
Know Before You Go
Some limited street parking exists on either side of the park. Burnside is a public skatepark, free and open daily, but it’s an active local spot with a strong community, spectators are welcome, though skaters have the right of way.
Community Contributors
Added By
Published
October 9, 2025
