Hmmm... I think Kate isn't that smart at navigating the city- she built her ramp without a permit which means she is illegally encroaching in public right-of-way. Personally I like walking on sidewalks without getting swiped by a skateboard... and I'm sure someone with a disability might feel the same. Interestingly if one googles Kate Martin, she's never very happy with what anyone does unless it serves her personal interest.

"Cool" Mom; Shitty Neighbor.

When I was a teenager the junvenile delinquent living next door to our house built a skateboard ramp in his backyard. Talk about noise polution! The constant banging of the skateboard wheels (as well as the yelling!) became unbearable. His mother allowed him to build the damn thing with absolutely no concern for her neighbors.

So how close are Kate Martin's neighbors? I'd be willing to bet some of them aren't too happy about her little project. Did the writer of this fluff piece attempt to interview any of them?

Does this woman come across as egotistical to anyone else? It sounds like she's seeking some sick form of approval from the men/boys in her life.

I bet her sons are extremely popular at school -and not solely by merit.

Most of us take a stand when it comes to issues dear to our hearts....but SKATEBOARD PARKS? Jesus!

If these kids had a skate park nearby with safe access to it, then there wouldn’t be a need build ramps in the backyard and sidewalks. I grew up in a town with no skate park and would get hassled all the time at places that were actually fun to skate. These kids are just growing up and skateboarding happens to be something they enjoy, just like any other kid who plays soccer, baseball etc...As for getting a permit to build a skateboard ramps, you have got to be kidding me. It's a freaking ramp, not a garage! I don’t think the city wants to go around checking to make sure your half pipe is up to code. If anybody is egotistical it’s you. Maybe this mom just wants to see her kids have fun and likes helping them out. Just look at what Portland is doing, building tons of skateparks.

She's an egomaniac. She likes being the "cool" mom. She likes it so much she doesn't mind the noise coming from her front yard. Again, ask her neighbors. I bet they mind the noise...and I bet she doesn't give a damn.

I don't know if what she's done is entirely legal (I didn't bring up the issue of permits or codes, FYI) but I do know that it was extremely inconsiderate.

Again, skateboading is a noisy occupation. She's boasted about how her son and their friends are out in the front "yard" every chance they get. That's a lot of constant noise. And we're not talking about white noise; we're talking about shit brown noise puncuated with acid green.

It's one thing if someone in the neighborhood has a large backyard barbecue on a Saturday, but quite another if they're having it all day every Saturday and Sunday, as well as in the late afternoons Monday-Friday. Do you understand what I'm saying, Tron? But hey, the people throwing the barbecue just LOVE barbecues so fuck the neighbors, right Tron?

Again, "cool" mom/shitty neighbor.

You have got to be kidding me...an egomaniac? Because she wants to see that her children are safe? It seems to me that you Pantone292 might just be the egomaniac , getting your self righteous opinion up for everyone to see must thrill you to pieces. Kids without a place to be kids will find other (not always positive) outlets for their youthful energy.

This story is four years old. The Woodland Park Skate Park is in business. Seriously, what's up with this story being in the "most commented" pile?

so the space at Woodland was too far away?
give me a break!

how about we build an outdoor hockey rink instead? there are ZERO of those in Seattle. build it anywhere and it will be used.