EPSA HISTORY

In 2007, several El Paso skaters realized that more skater input was needed with our city’s public skatepark system. We had 9 public skateparks, but only one “high quality” concrete facility. We also noticed repair issues popping up that needed to be addressed and monitored – who better to assist than the skaters who knew every inch of the place?

Paul Zimmerman, Gabe Lawler and Bill Robertson banded together to form a board of directors for the El Paso Skatepark Association. The goal was to connect the folks at City Hall with the folks actually riding public skateparks and the experts who design and build them. With 1 in 7 kids now riding skateboards, the demand for these facilities was growing and the need to spend taxpayer money properly on public skateparks was critical.

In February 2008, EPSA was granted 501c3 non-profit status by the Internal Revenue Service – the importance was the ability to solicit donations to help our city build new public skateparks and maintain what we already had. We have helped the city request warranty service on modular ramp equipment and have recommended best practice repairs for concrete. A formal Park Partner Agreement was signed in Summer 2008.

Community outreach and partnerships have become vital to our mission’s success. EPSA has brought the art and skateboard communities together for Deck Art Show fundraisers and facilitated a 3,000 square foot bowl mural project at Carolina Skatepark to deter offensive graffiti and tagging. In 2009, we consulted for city leaders on the design/build of our community’s second custom concrete facility at Westside Community Park (originally bid as another prefab park) and we’ve continued to advocate for the best possible public skateparks and skate spots in the El Paso area ever since.

Here’s the video story!