A Brief History of Skate Parks in Bothell

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Bothell holds a unique place in Washington’s skateboarding history, being one of the early adopters of dedicated skate park infrastructure in the greater Seattle area. 

In 1999, Bothell made its mark by opening one of the region’s first municipal skateparks. Built on the tennis courts of the old W.A. Anderson Building (now McMenamins Anderson School), the original park featured wooden ramps and quickly became a hot spot for local youth. Located at 9815 N.E. 188th Street, this facility arrived just before the boom in skate park development swept the state and served as a vital space for self-expression and physical activity.

Recognizing the park’s popularity, the City of Bothell invested $128,000 through its Capital Facilities Plan to replace the wooden structures with durable concrete features. Though the community was aware that this upgrade might be temporary, it was a welcome improvement. On November 7, 2007, the second Bothell Skate Park officially opened on the same site, continuing to serve skateboarders, BMX riders, and scooter users of all ages.

The momentum came to a halt in January 2012. As part of the sale of the W.A. Anderson Building to McMenamins, the park was closed and dismantled to make room for redevelopment. The city pledged that the concrete features would be placed in storage until a new, permanent home could be found. At the time, city officials acknowledged how well-used and valued the skate park was by local youth.

One particularly memorable moment was when a local skater—Sky Siljeg—told a parks staff member he wanted to help with finding and designing the next version of the park. More than a decade later, Sky has made good on that promise.

Thanks to the persistence and leadership of Pam Miller, founder of Sisters in Action Sports, and longtime advocate for youth recreation, the skate park project is once again gaining traction. Pam, along with retired State Senator and former Bothell City Council Member Rosemary McAuliffe, has reignited community energy around the effort.

After years of organizing, rallying community voices, and returning to the city again and again with local skater Sky Siljeg, their commitment is finally paying off. In 2024, the City of Bothell reopened the conversation about skate parks, and by 2025, the project is moving forward with active public engagement and growing momentum.

The return of the skate park represents more than just new features—it is the culmination of years of advocacy and belief in the power of youth-centered public spaces. It’s a reflection of Bothell’s commitment to inclusive recreation and a testament to the enduring influence of grassroots leadership.