On May 17, 2025, 100s of Dallasites gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the new Bachman Lake Skatepark. Dallas Parks & Recreation built an amazing 45K+ square foot skatepark that serves every kind of skating and action sport imaginable, all in one amazing location at Bachman Lake.

100% of our Goals Achieved!

We set goals for the skatepark project in 2017 and now in 2025 all were achieved!

30,000-75,000 square foot, permanent, poured-in concrete skatepark —> 45,600 sqft
Features suitable for skaters of all levels with progression —> from small transition & street features to 8ft bowl skating with gaps, truly something for everyone
A venue that is welcoming, beautiful, safe and fun —> Bachman Lake in the background, old growth oak trees surrounding the park, several shade structures, immediately next to the brand new regional aquatic center. This is the best location in the city
Accessible by multiple modes of transit, including DART and bike/walk —> The skatepark is immediately across the street from the Bachman DART station, and is accessible by a new sidewalk next to the park and a trail directly from the recreation center
A true public amenity, where families visit together, or just watch the talented young people of the city of Dallas, with benches and shade and other beneficial facilities —> This is a gorgeous facility, you have to check it out to see
Skateboard appropriate lighting for night skating —> YES! And open until 10pm 7 days / wk

TRULY A COMMUNITY EFFORT TO BECOME REAL

For decades skaters in Dallas have worked to get a skatepark built in the city, but there was so much resistance.

2017: Finally in 2017, Dr. Clinton Haley, inspired by his son Travis (then 9 years old) were inspired to try. Leveraging a high school relationship with then Mayor Pro Tem Adam Medrano from District 2, the project was put on the 2017 bond election. Form Parks Director Willis Winters believed in the mission and ensured the skatepark stayed on the project list. In November 2017, Dallas voters voted overwhelmingly for the bond, and the skatepark was funded with $4million

Dr. Haley and his now 17 year old son Travis celebrating the Bachman Lake Skatepark

2018 to 2024: The wheels of government turn slowly, but skatepark advocates stayed persistent, always turning up to have their voices heard. The individuals in government who were listening were our esteemed city councilman Omar Narvaez of D6, former mayor Pro Tem Adam Medrano from District 2, and former Parks Director Willis Winters and Council Member Jesse Moreno.

Former Mayor Pro Tem Adam Medrano, the first city council supporter of the skatepark and Park Board President Arun Agarwal

District 6 City Council Member Omar Narvaez

When Willis Winters retired, Director Jenkins took the helm and was as dedicated as Mr. Winters was. Always on the skateparks side was Parks Board Rep Tim Dickey who remembers the original Bachman Clown Ramp and Skatetime.

the moment the ribbon was officially cut, featuring the many elected officials and park board representatives who helped usher this project through the city

2024 to 2025: Project Manager Richard Stauffer was instrumental in making the construction phase a reality! Team Pain for the skatepark design and Pivot Custom for the build. It looks incredible!

We wouldn’t have arrived at this day without you to you skatepark advocates, who took time out of their busy schedules on weeknights and even taking off work/school on some weekdays to represent the skatepark community at City Hall! You showed dedication, presence, and that communicating the importance of public skateparks, really can make a difference! The proof is in the Bachman Lake skatepark. Also part of the Skateparks for Dallas team, Nick DiCarlo, Imelda Haley for her support and enthusiasm always, and the two giants of skatepark advocacy, on whose advice we’ve depended, throughout this process, Carter Dennis and Barry Blumenthal.

BACHMAN LAKE has major historical significance for dallas skateboarding

It is full circle for Dallas’ first modern skatepark to land at Bachman Lake.Bachman Lake also was famous for Skateboarding in the 1980s, home to the skatepark called Skate Times, home of the Blue Ramp and Clown Ramp. National and even world-renowned skateboarders came from that Bachman Vert Ramp, such as Jeff Phillips, Craig Johnson, Dan Wilkes, John “Tex” Gibson, and Mike Crum. Craig Johnson and Mike Crum attended the grand opening and skated the park!

The Legend Craig Johnson among the very first to skate the Bachman Skatepark

WHY A PUBLIC SKATEPARK

Now back to this amazing, new Bachman Skatepark. For those of you new to public skateparks, this skatepark represents not only a place for people to come and get exercise. This kind of skatepark will provide a community crossroads—a place where kids, teens, and adults shared in a common activity— a place where people will show up and meet people they would never meet in another part of their daily lives—and as a result, will be better people for it. This is what my son and I have experienced at public skateparks for over a decade now and I’m thrilled that the residents of the City of Dallas now get to have this experience as well! Thank you!

Sincerely,

Clinton Haley

President & Founder of Skateparks for Dallas