Catching Air: Drip Skate Night fun for all ages

Skateboarding recently has reached the global stage as the sport makes its debut at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. In Dripping Springs, skateboarding enthusiasts couldn't be happier that their favorite pastime is finally getting more recognition.

Since 2014, in partnership with the Dripping Springs Community Foundation, Dripping Springs Skatepark has brought skateboarding to hundreds of kids in the community at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. Every Thursday night, youth of all ages can drop in for free and catch some air.

“We lug ramps, set them up, take them down, and repeat this process every week,” Dennis Baldwin of Dripping Springs Skatepark said. “Skate night has turned out to be a big deal in our local skate community… you can skateboard at any level.”

The organization continues to grow, and continues to work relentlessly on getting a permanent skatepark built. In 2017, the City of Dripping Springs donated 1.5 acres of land at Founders Park for the skatepark to be built, and fundraising started immediately after.

Baldwin said the skaters have been nothing short of amazing in their support of fundraising efforts. Two kids even set up a lemonade stand in their neighborhood and raised almost $1,000 for the skatepark. “It’s inspiring,” he said.

In total, the group has raised about $118,000 for their mission. Some of those funds have already been spent on skating equipment, marketing, merchandise, land surveys and grant writing, leaving them with about $77,000 currently. Baldwin estimates $725,000 to $1,000,000 is needed to build the park, and the group is hoping to receive the rest of the money from a county grant.

In 2020, the Hays County Parks and Open Space Advisory Commission was created and voters approved the Prop A Bond of $75,000,000 during the 2020 election to go towards parks projects.

“A well-designed skatepark is an attraction for the entire community and region,” Baldwin said. “People come to Skate Night from all over… Blanco, Wimberley, Austin.”

At the County Commissioners Court regular meeting on July 13, Commissioners slated $50,000,000 of the Bond to begin being allocated to projects. County Judge Ruben Becerra pointed out that these funds need to move through within three years to avoid the county paying interest on money not being used.

Dripping Springs Skatepark awaits approval of their application. Land clearing is set to start this winter. Baldwin says the park could be built and open in 2022 if awarded the funds.

For more information, follow@dripskateboarding on Instagram. To donate, visit dripping-springs-community-foundation.square.site/, and to attend Drip Skate Night, pre-register at signupgenius.com/go/904054fafae2caafe3dripping.