SeeingGreen ™

I recently sat in on a meeting at my day job that re-energized my thinking about sustainable urban living and the opportunities for innovation. Although I was already aware of Portland Park and Recreation’s (PPR) aggressive plan to put a skatepark within one mile of almost every neighborhood in Portland, the more compelling news is that PPR is about to design and install the world’s first green skatepark.

What does that mean for a skatepark to be green? Think recycled-content concrete, on-site stormwater management, low-toxic finishes and the creative reuse of discarded urban infrastructure such as old granite curbs and roadway chunks. Also think of a place for people of all ages to see sustainable development in an unlikely venue and to learn more about the growing sport of skateboarding. Although the Gabriel Park skatepark is just in its design phase, when complete in summer 2008, Portland will be on the map again for carving a new face for sustainable development.