Emily Proudfoot is a landscape architect for the City of Eugene. She has played a key role in the development of the WJ Skatepark + Urban Plaza for six years. As an extremely knowledgeable member of the project’s team, her interview provides insight into the development of the park as well as the future of the park’s success.

Q: When the skatepark and plaza were in the beginning stages of development, did you seek to be a part of the project or did it just land in your lap?

A: I had been working in engineering for the city for 15 years. I then came over to planning in 2008. When that happened the person whose place that I took was currently in charge of the project. Therefore, I essentially took the project over.

Q: And how did you feel about the project falling into your hands?

A: I was really excited! I am so privileged to have this job because it has such an enormous impact on our community and the decisions I make and the passion I have for it make a difference in a lot of people’s lives. I’m not a skateboarder, but I have learned so much through this job and I am delighted to have been part of it.

Q: Now that the park is open to the public, has your role changed at all? Are you still pretty involved?

A: I am very involved. There are a lot of things that still need to get tied up before we do our grand opening… and it’s very iterative. For example, when we first opened the park, the behaviors were a bit chaotic. So I’m still working on refining the [park] rules. It was also very messy, but we set out brooms and shovels and skatepark users have been sweeping up and keeping it a little bit cleaner down here. We’re also trying to keep it a drug and alcohol free environment. Honestly, I’m one of the people who know the most about the park so a lot of things fall in my lap. I’m continuing to stay very involved.

Q: What would you say is the most rewarding part about working on this project?

A: What it provides to the community. The fact hundreds of people from all over the place are coming here and skating is unbelievable. One of my favorite parts about the project is definitely our social media success. We have over 2,000 people following the project on Facebook. Social media is such an important part of how this culture shares what they’re up to… It’s just awesome and enormously gratifying.

Written by: Julia Zinsmeister

                                                                                                                       

Mike Sipich is a local skateboarder who visits the WJ Skatepark + Urban Plaza up to five times a week. He believes that the WJ Skatepark motivates Eugene skaters to constantly improve their skateboarding techniques. Mike also believes the skatepark provides a place for skateboarders to improve their skills in a safe and efficient way.

Q: When did you begin skateboarding?

A: I started when I was 11. My parents bought me a skateboard when I was 10 years old, but I didn’t start for another year. My grandpa despised skateboards, so it took me a while.

Q: Describe the skateboarding scene in Eugene.

A: It’s pretty much just the same people skating around town on the streets and at various skateparks. It’s a very chill group of people. I’ll see other skaters out and there’s this cool connection between us.

Q: How would you describe your skating style and how has the WJ Skatepark affected the way you ride?

A: Personally I always preferred the smoothest surfaces for my riding, but I didn’t always have that available in the areas I lived. I used to mainly skate on the streets, but sometimes the rough roads wouldn’t allow me to develop the tricks I wanted to. It affected my confidence on the board, as well. I would say the WJ Park gave me a place to skate with smooth surfaces and really cool bowls and ramps. I think it has actually helped me grow as a skater.

Q: What does the WJ Skatepark provide that you find unique in a skatepark?

A: The way it’s built is awesome because it caters to a lot of different skill levels. I can look in one direction and see a professional skater doing these really impressive tricks, and then I can look the other way and see a seven year old just learning how to push the board. Also, and this is probably the most generic answer, but it’s so true that I love how I can ride in any weather at WJ. The fact that it’s undercover is so convenient for Oregon skaters. They also have it really well lit so I can night ride. I would say the park in general is pretty unique.

Q: If you could bring any professional skater to the WJ Skatepark + Urban Plaza who would it be and why?

A: That’s a tough one, but I would say Paul Rodriguez. His skate style has always been really interesting to me. He also has some ties to the state of Oregon through Nike, so I hope it will actually happen some day. I think if the park hosts some skate competitions, he might make an appearance.