Portland Report: Commonwealth Skateboarding is Open for Business

Local celebrity Benji Galloway.

It has finally started snowing again in the Northwest so you may not have to resort to breaking out your skateboard, but if you actually enjoy skateboarding, you may just want to. Portland’s first indoor concrete skatepark, Commonwealth Skateboarding, opened it’s doors for business on February 26th.

As a snowboarder (read: mediocre skateboarder) the park is non threatening with only a few sections topping the 3 foot mark. In addition to the main bowl, there is a mini ramp and a street area with bank, box and flat bar. However, the actual skating at the grand opening celebration was not for the casual enthusiast, with some of Portland’s best skateboarders dodging and weaving to get a taste at the brand new park.

The park was the brainchild of, and also serves as the office for legendary shred journalist Jennifer Sherowski. Jen and her man candy Lance Normine, along with the park building skills of Billy Coulon, and hours of slave labor from various friends, birthed the park over the past month and a half. It is half concrete paradise, half gallery/office, and conveniently located on SE 20th and Hawthorne, which if you’re not familiar with Portland is, as they say, “close in.”

Some people enjoying photography and good ol’ conversation.

Commonwealth is now open seven days a week to the general public, with some special sessions designated on various nights. If you enjoy rolling on concrete, you will likely enjoy this park, so get down there and check it out.

http://www.commonwealthskateboarding.com/

Slave Labor Appreciation Day