Teenagers stand with their skateboards at a neighborhood meeting to show support for the construction of a skate park in Oak Cliff. Photo by Emma Ruby
The Dallas Park and Recreation Department has given the future Westmoreland Skate Park the “go ahead” on its next phase.
Through private and public funding, skate park advocates have raised over $100,000 for the park so far. The department said the funding can be dispensed to start the request for proposal (RPF) process for the skate park’s engineering and design work, said city council member Chad West Thursday.
“This is a big step in the right direction,” West said.
Huge thanks to the friends, family members and skatepark fans who attended the 2nd Oak Cliff Skatepark fundraiser at Birdie’s Eastside last night! Such great energy! We have raised over $100K so far for Dallas’ first public/private skateboard park! pic.twitter.com/LUQ9jYvTrM
— Chad West (@ChadWestDallas) January 25, 2024
This step forward for the park comes just weeks after the skate park received its largest donation yet.
Dallas business duo Monty Bennett and Sarah Zubiate Bennett contributed $25,000 to the skate park fund after speaking with West for The Dallas Express podcast, where he discussed fundraising efforts for the park.
Advocates for the Westmoreland park are working towards a total funding goal of $400,000, which West hopes to bridge through grassroots fundraising and a naming sponsor. The parks department has pledged to match up to $400,000 for the park, resulting in an $800,000 build.
“(We) will grassroots donations all the way until opening day,” West said.
