One Bag at a Time

Because folks are issuing grand new year proclamations, I want to provide a subtle reminder of how big things ACTUALLY happen.

We’ve been asked how we managed to build a large concrete skatepark in the middle of Portland, without formal permission, and therefore: illegally.

The answer: one bag at a time. 💁‍♂️

Sure, there were modest and periodic windfalls (such as when the local concrete company would dump their surplus mud for us to use), but most of this park was build and maintained these 32 years by people committing to the smallest margins of progress, and despite relentlessly overwhelming odds.

Many people will sit on their asses waiting for that one big windfall to sweep their dreams into being, for example: they’ll spend three years applying for grants (free money) before they do even a day’s actual work.

It doesn’t happen that way.

Indeed, it’s far more likely you’ll get that grant if you can demonstrate you know how to do it “one bag at a time,” because those who give grants know a thing or two about the factors of success for these kinds of endeavors.