Seamus Sims Skate Park

General Location

Monroe and Jefferson Streets.

General Description

The state-of-the-art skateboard park, designed and built by Dreamland Skateparks, opened in May of 2006. The facility provides advanced deep bowls, rails, a beginner section, drinking fountain. It is maintained in large part by its user group and the Parks Department.

History

In Council minutes from 16 October 1987, Port Townsend youth asked for assistance to find places to skateboard and were advised to ‘try Fort Worden’. In the 1991 Parks Plan, a skateboard area was identified as a community need, and highlighted with a quote from a youth survey: “These should not be ruled out as ‘dangerous’ or ‘difficult to insure’ or ‘faddish’. Youth have been skateboarding for decades. They are getting better at it. If they don’t have places to do it, they will do it in dangerous places”. Council Resolution 96-53 allowed the parking lot at Monroe between Washington and Jefferson Streets to continue to be used as a skate park. The lot had become a de facto skate park built by volunteers of all ages with City assistance and Boiler Room guidance and fundraising. Finally, in July 2001, Council instructed the City Manager and the Parks Board to come up with a location. In July 2002, Council passed Resolution 02-035 to submit a grant proposal to IAC for funds. The proposal was ranked 7th of 44 and $200,000 were received, requiring the City to match the funds. City Council approved matching councilmanic bonds (December 2003, Ordinance 2844) to construct a permanent skateboard park at the Monroe Street site.

Total Acreage

0.33 acres