FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On March 27, skate park advocates announced a big jump in their $400K private fundraising goal for the proposed Oak Cliff Skate Park, securing a $150K match pledge from the Eugene McDermott Foundation.
A recent skateboarder needs assessment revealed that Dallas should provide around 16 skatepark locations across the city. Currently, Dallas has only one skate park with one additional park on the way. In 2023, at the request of Dallas City Councilman Chad West, the City of Dallas Parks Department committed $400,000 in public funds designated for skate parks to match private donations $1 for $1 towards a new skate park within Westmoreland Park in West Oak Cliff. Thus, by raising $400K in private funds, advocates would secure $400K in public funds, totaling $800K that will be added to the $1 million bond funds secured by West for the park in the 2024 Bond election.
West, along with neighbors and members of Skate Parks for Dallas, raised $165,000 between 2023 and March 2025 towards the $400k private raise goal. On March 27, 2025, park supporters gathered at Cibo Divino marketplace to announce the new $150K pledge from the Eugene McDermott Foundation, a pledge intended to help close out the $400K fundraising gap by late summer 2025. The Foundation’s $150K donation will be released once advocates raise $85K (thus, $165K already raised + $150K Foundation match + $85K funds to be raised starting March 27).
Grace Cook, on behalf of herself and her mother, Mary McDermott Cook, presented the $150K pledge and stated, “It was an honor to present the $150,000 pledge from the Eugene McDermott Foundation in support of the Oak Cliff Skate Park. Chad, Clinton, and the entire group of advocates have been working tirelessly for more than two years to bring this vision to life – a space that reflects the creativity, energy, and community spirit of Dallas. We are incredibly grateful to be part of this final push towards the finish line. This project isn’t just about building a skate park – it’s about creating a vibrant, inclusive space for young people to gather, express themselves, and take pride in their neighborhood. Investments like this ripple out, shaping how a city sees its future and who it belongs to.”
Immediately after Grace Cook’s pledge, West and Dr. Clinton Haley, President and Founder of Skate Parks for Dallas, announced additional donations towards the final $85K fundraising gap: $20,000 from Lindsey Billingsley, $10,000 from Mintwood Real Estate, $10,000 from Hudson Henley and Geoff Henley, and $20,000 from David Spence. Thus, the final tally of donations, including the Foundation’s $150K pledge, totaled $375K of $400K, leaving only $25K left for advocates to raise over the summer.
Notable donations prior to March 27, 2025 included a previous $25,000 from the Eugene McDermott Foundation, $25,000 from Monty and Sarah Bennett, and $15,000 from Mintwood Real Estate.
Dr. Clinton Haley stated, “Skateparks provide an alternative form of active recreation for people of all ages, and Dallas doesn’t have a single park south of the Trinity River. The Eugene McDermott Foundation pledge is a major milestone for this proposed skatepark at Westmoreland Park. We are excited to push towards raising the final $25K needed to obtain the full $400K from the City of Dallas.”
JR Huerta, Park Board Representative for District 1, stated, “Westmoreland Park is the perfect location for this new skatepark. There are hundreds of Chicano/Hispanic families who live within walking distance of the park. I’m excited that the Parks Department has also come up with additional funds to fully design the remaining portions of Westmoreland Park as well, with possible soccer fields and other amenities to accompany the skateboard park in the future.”
Chad West stated, “It’s go time now for advocates to close the final $25K fundraising gap. Over the next few months, we plan to work closely with the North Oak Cliff community to give all interested neighbors, especially our youth, an opportunity to be part of the final skate-element design work, artistic enhancements, and eventual groundbreaking.