Dallas businessman Monty Bennett isn’t counting on bond funds to ensure that the Westmoreland Skate Park becomes a reality. The founder and CEO of Ashford Inc. hospitality real estate company and his wife, Sarah Zubiate Bennett, donated $25,000 this week to the Oak Cliff park amenity.
Monty Bennett, who also serves as publisher of The Dallas Express news website, is a Republican donor who often contributes to political causes, but his latest effort represents a nonpartisan interest that will go a long way toward making a dream come true for the Dallas skate community.
It was Sarah who determined the Westmoreland Skate Park was a worthy cause. She interviewed District 1 Councilman Chad West for The Dallas Express podcast (the episode airs Sunday) and learned about the vision for the skate park.
Having previously worked as a fundraiser at the Dallas Metropolitan YMCA, Sarah said she has a heart for recreational community projects that provide activities for all ages.
“It’s just so special,” she told daltxrealestate.com.
Sarah grew up in El Paso where there was a vibrant skating, rollerblading, and biking community.
“These are really unique skills, but the workout, the exercise, is great,” she said. “The community you create by surrounding yourself with like-minded people is energizing. It’s something that’s coming to life.”
Monty Bennett says he and his wife are happy to provide a contribution for a great effort.
“Being part of a community means helping when and where we can,” says Bennett. “And we love being a part of the Dallas community.”
About $400,000 is needed to build the skate park in Oak Cliff, and they’re about one-quarter of the way toward reaching their goal, West told daltxrealestate.com on Tuesday.
Westmoreland Skate Park
A large pro-skate community exists in Dallas, and there is only one current skate park in the city, at Lakeland Hills in District 7. Another is set to open this year at Bachman Lake. The Dallas Park and Recreation Department is proposing $2.5 million be earmarked for skate parks in this year’s bond election, and a portion of those funds will go toward the Oak Cliff project.
Councilman West said the Bennetts’ donation will leverage a match in public funds, bringing the park much closer to its goal.
“Oak Cliff is working hard to build the first skate park south of the Trinity River and the first skate park citywide funded through both public and private donations,” West said. “Monty and Sarah Bennett’s generous donation helps us shred previous fundraising records for this amenity and will leverage $25,000 in matching funds from the city.”
A fundraiser for the Westmoreland Skate Park is planned for 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, at Birdie’s Eastside, 6221 East Mockingbird Lane.
“To date, Oak Cliff Skate Park Advocates have raised just under $100,000 in grassroots donations toward the $400,000 private raise,” West said. “We are seeking a naming rights sponsor to help us close the final gap and kick off the construction timeline, and will [pursue] grassroots donations all the way until opening day.”
