INTRODUCTION

Skateboarding is one of the most popular activities and spectator sports in America; renowned for decades of cultural impact in film, television, video games, sports, fashion and music. Despite its massive place in our culture skateboarding is drastically under-represented in Dallas as measured by the total number of permanent concrete public skateparks in the city; ZERO.

Frisco, Plano, Arlington, Lewisville, Fort Worth and Garland have built 16 of the country’s most spectacular skateparks and have seen these parks become their single most popular facilities.

To remedy this situation, Dr. Clinton Haley, a lifelong resident of Dallas, DISD alumni, father of three and skateboarder decided to commit what extra time he has to get publicly accessible, free, world-class, concrete skateparks built in the City of Dallas.

This report serves to summarize how far we have come and how much left remains to be done. We welcome you to join us, lend your expertise in making the vision a reality.

OUR HYPOTHESIS

Skateboarding and action sports (BMX, inline, etc.) are sports that attract those with a strong sense of self and individualism. Many top skaters are accomplished athletes in mainstream team sports, but they appreciate the opportunity skateboarding gives them to express their individuality that being a part of a football or basketball team does not.

To many non-skaters, a skateboarder feels like an outsider.

But we all feel like outsiders sometimes.

Looking at the history of skaters in Dallas trying to work within the political system, the stories and outcomes provide clear evidence that the oil and the water didn’t mix. And today’s kids are worse off as a result.

Skateboarders need advocates who can represent them in non-skater environments

Jerry seinfield & chris rock discuss the power of skateboarding to help kids

The level of effort required to learn a skateboarding trick is a life skill that builds successful people

Skateparks for dallas is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded by dr. Clinton Haley

Dallas council & DISD board celebrate the bachman skatepark design

The regional flagship skatepark project at Bachman Lake had its design reveal December 2022

CM Chad west and the oak cliff skatepark fundraising team

The Oak Cliff Community has rallied to have a skatepark created at Westmoreland Park and has been vigorously fundraising

Dallas supports over a dozen skateshops showing significant economic demand

RecShop 7554 E Grand

Devotion Skateboard COmpany 11277 E NW Highway

Magnolia Skateshop 402 W Eighth Str

Good Food Skates 212 S Tyler St

Zumiez 13350 Dallas Parkway

City Skate Project

The Point Skate Shop 2820 Main Street

4DWN 2633 Ferris Street

Sun & Ski Sports 11170 N Central Expy

Garland BMX’n Sk8 2021 Saturn Rd Suite D, Garland

Geometric Skateshop 2700 N O’Connor Blv, Irving

Rhythmm Skateshop 1002 Lone Star Pkwy, Irving

Incite Skateshop and Vintage 6121 W Park Blvd, Plano