Port Townsend Skate Park Opens

Category: Recreation



PORT TOWNSEND JEFFERSON COUNTY LEADER (March 29, 2006) - It’s awesome,” said 14-year-old David Raymond of Irondale.

It’s a sentiment felt by hundreds of youths and young adults who just can’t get enough of Port Townsend’s new skate park.

Located downtown at Monroe and Jefferson streets, the park opened Saturday, March 25, even though some fencing and sidewalk work still needs to be completed. A formal opening is planned for May.

The park has been teeming with enthusiasts until dusk every night so far, many of whom seem to be experiencing a combination of euphoria and disbelief that a permanent park is finally theirs to enjoy.

The kids aren’t even complaining about parents and other adults hanging around to watch and take pictures. Some seem unduly polite, apologizing as skateboards sometimes go airborne sans rider, whizzing by photographers trying to get that quintessential action photo.

And not everyone using the park is male.

“It’s mostly guys, but gals can do it,” said 14-year-old Alicia Pullen of Port Townsend. She’d like to learn how to skateboard. Her friend Julie Joyce of Chimacum used to skate and said she might skate again now that there’s a permanent park. “It used to be like ‘ghetto,’” Joyce said, “I think this is a good thing for communities.” (Read More)


Makena Nye, 10, enjoys the new City of Port Townsend Skate Park. Photo by Barney Burke (PT Leader)