DALLAS — While plans are already laid for one skate park in Dallas, city council members are considering building another one at Westmoreland Park in North Oak Cliff.
The proposed location for the park is due to its proximity to Lenore Kirk Hall Elementary School nearby, city officials say. It is also close to a DART train station and bus stops, Dallas Parks Planning Manager Jared White said.
"Additionally, it's an underserved park with adequate space for a skate park," White said in a statement.
This would be the park's first upgrade since 2012, when the city installed a custom pavilion.
“This park, which is surrounded by homes with hundreds of families, has been long neglected, and it is time the City invests in it,” District 1 Parks Board Member JR Huerta said in a statement.
If approved, this would be the park's largest infrastructure investment since it was first built in 1952.
District 1 Councilmember Chad West held a private Facebook birthday fundraiser to kick off funding the park's private match, the city said, raising about $6,000.
“If we can secure the skate park, it would be the largest investment in Westmoreland Park since it was built. My understanding from city staff is that Oak Cliff will have much more of a shot of being selected for the next skate park if we can raise private funds to match city funds dedicated for the skate park, and I want to do my part to bring this to the community,” West said in a statement.
This is the second skate park the city has taken steps toward building, the first being a 45,600-square-foot park in Bachman Park, 3500 W. Northwest Highway, with construction expected to begin this year.
A needs assessment given to Dallas parks staff in late 2022 stated the city needs about 15 skate parks to meet the needs of its residents.
