Ed Benedict is distinctly unique from the other skateparks throughout PDX. The defining factor, which makes the park unique, is the park's design as a eco-friendly street skating plaza. A plaza differs from transition skateparks for the fact that the park is designed to emulate features skaters would find while street skating in a controlled environment. Also, the designers and builders used sustainable and recycled materials when constructing the park and incorporated various vegetation throughout the park. Finally, a little known fact about the design, which makes the park unique, is the features are designed and reconstructed from various famous street skating spots throughout the world.
Skaters coming to Ed Benedict will be welcomed by a friendly environment, but should recognize that it is a street skating park, which is a more advanced form of skateboarding. Not to say beginners cannot skate the park, they just may enjoy themselves at another location, which is more beginner friendly, such as Commonwealth, Alberta, or the small bowls of Pier Park. Ed Benedict does tend to get crowded throughout the day, due to classes and being a skate plaza, but as mentioned earlier, the atmosphere is friendly and inviting. Finally as with all skate spots remember to follow skate etiquette and respect the locals.
