Planning staff presented draft skate-park design guidelines that lay out site-selection criteria, material preferences, scale categories and accessibility considerations for new skate facilities across the city.

Jared White, superintendent of planning, told the board that Dallas currently has two skate parks (Lakeland Hills and Bachman) and that a national service-level calculation would indicate a larger inventory is needed; he cautioned that those national numbers do not measure local demand. White recommended concrete construction as the durable industry standard, preservation of sight lines and mature trees where possible, provision of shade and rest areas, and use of specialized designers for skate facilities.

Board members repeatedly urged the guidelines be explicitly inclusive of other wheeled users. Board member Wanda said, “we have to incorporate roller skating in this option,” and another member suggested renaming the guidance to “all-wheels parks” to reduce stigma and broaden community support. Board member Curry described the diversity of users at Bachman — “BMX bikers, roller skaters, scooter riders, and skateboarders” — and argued that visibility and central placement reduce potential safety concerns.

Why it matters: The guidelines will shape where and how future skate or wheeled facilities are sited and constructed. Board members asked staff to ensure accessibility for all users, to account for heat and shading in design (given Dallas summers), and to prioritize visible, front-of-park locations to minimize hidden spaces.

Next steps: Staff said they will incorporate board comments, publish the guidelines for internal use and public access, and continue to apply the criteria to upcoming projects, including projects planned for Lakeland Hills, Westmoreland and a District 14 site.