05.08.02

If you haven't heard of the Burnside Skatepark by now you've either been in a coma or you just don't skate. In either case, it's time to wake up. Born out of the creativity and boredom of a few Portland skateboarders on Halloween night in 1991, Burnside stands as a testament of initiative and hard work to skateboarders everywhere.

"The Park", as locals call it, has gradually evolved from a make-shift bank to a concrete mecca of hips, walls and bowls equaled by few other parks. The constant additions to this ever-changing park have rendered this once vacant lot 100% skateable. The lines are as boundless as one's own imagination under the protective umbrella of the Burnside Bridge.

Jud, on the other side of the camera with a frontside air over the hip.

Thom Horning slides a backside disaster on the brick wall in the summer of 98.

THE WORD

Word travels fast. Through exposure in countless videos, magazines and simple word-of-mouth accounts of daily ripping, Burnside has become a definite check on any traveling skater's itinerary. Pro visits are frequent, especially en route to and from the annual Slam City Jam contest in Canada.

Skaters travel from around the globe to test their talents against the transitions, hips and pillars of Burnside. But don't come up thinking you're gonna rule if you haven't been to school on concrete: carve around for awhile, get used to the corners and general flow before trying that frontside crooked grind. Burnside is not your basic wooden street course. Speed, power and fluidity are the rule.

THE PEOPLE

Ever hear of a "Burnside Pro"? Probably not. Although the park has produced more than it's share of insane skaters, some of which have gone on to achieve pro status, nobody's really concerned with any of that. Sponsorships do exist, and the rippers usually get the product they deserve, but the atmosphere is very relaxed with no stress over "sponsor me" videos or photos. Tempers rarely flare and the more experienced skaters are always willing to offer a word of encouragement or advice to the up and comers.

Large backside air transfer from the pillar by Mike Crespino - fall 99

THE PARK

Trying to fit everything Burnside has to offer into this short article can be compared to trying to squeeze one's foot into a soda can. But here goes. It's basically a giant bowl, with four corners of varying heights that house a maze of hips, spines and transitions. It holds two bowls, one approximately 10 feet deep with pool coping, the other, which is more of a mini-ramp type, has one side forming a vert wall and another creating a spine that leads to a street-course style hip. If you can picture a large "X" in your mind, these bowls are diagonal from one another and the other two points in the "X" consist of 45 degree elbows that can be used for airs, lip tricks or simply to attain speed for hitting something else.

If that's not enough to get your wheels rolling, there's also a gigantic vert wall that you may have seen Cardiel drop in on in 411's Spot Check, the Brick Wall that boasts 3 feet of vert , a smaller, but wide quarter with curb coping and the infamous pillars.

Basically, Burnside has something for every type of skater. The main thing to remember is that it has speed bumps and transitions intended to be pumped for speed, making pushing almost unnecessary.

Unidentified, frontside tailgrab- fall of 99

THE END

In closing, much thanks, as always, must go to Mark Scott, Osage Buffalo, Sage and the many others that made, and continue to make Burnside a reality and simply rip the park making it a great place to go.

Lil' John barges an ollie from the deck of the elbow into the mini quarter - winter 2000.

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