Dorian Zev Kweller Memorial Skatepark to open July 27 in Dripping Springs

DRIPPING SPRINGS — The long-awaited Dorian Zev Kweller Memorial Skatepark is officially opening later this month at Founders Memorial Park in Dripping Springs.

On Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, Dripping Springs City Council unanimously decided to name the skate park at Founders Memorial Park as the Dorian Zev Memorial Skatepark. This came after city hall was filled with supporters of the planned skate park, but especially for Dorian Zev Kweller to be the namesake.

A beloved member of the community, Dorian was a junior at Dripping Springs High School who died in a car accident in February 2023. He attended the weekly Thursday night skate at Dripping Springs Ranch Park, participated in the fundraising efforts for the skate park, released music to the public under his middle name, “ZEV,” and was a member of the Dripping Springs High School Tiger Band.

Stephanie Meyer of the Dripping Springs Skatepark Committee was one of many who showed up in support that Tuesday evening. As Dorian was involved in different aspects throughout the Dripping Springs community, Meyer described him as a kid who had an inclusive mindset to connect those from all walks of life. She advocated for the skate park to named after Dorian not because he died, but “it should be named after him because of how he lived.”

“Dorian embodied kindness, friendliness, inclusivity, creativity, thoughtfulness and an unmatched enthusiasm for not only his life, but the lives of the people around him,” Meyer said at the meeting. “He was a gifted skater and spent hours helping other kids learn and master tricks and gain a love of skating. Dorian impacted this community in far-reaching ways through his love of music and the incredibly genuine way he touched people’s lives. He was a friend to all. A true artist and poet. A fearless and gifted skater. As his family and many others say, to know Dorian was to love him.”

Dripping Springs City Council first approved the skate park proposal in 2017 and entered into a license agreement in 2019, allowing for construction at Founders Memorial Park. Later, in June 2022, the council approved an extension of the license agreement, requiring that all construction funding for the skate park be completed within two years. But the idea of the skate park started in March 2014, when supporters presented the idea to the Dripping Springs Parks & Community Services Department.

The skate park was made possible through fundraising, as well as the approval by the city of Dripping Springs to authorize the skate park be constructed at Founders Memorial Park and the approval of $624,250 in Hays County park bond funds given to the Dripping Springs Community Foundation to use in the construction. The skate park was one of the recommended projects to be funded by the Hays County park bond that passed in 2020.

The 10,000-square foot, plaza-style skate park is designed to provide a facility for young people to pursue an athletic activity that they love, as well as provide a safe place for young people to develop active lifestyles.

And now, the skate park is coming to fruition with the grand opening on Saturday, July 27, at Founders Memorial Park.

“I can't believe that 'the DZK' is finally ready to rock! This has been such a long process and I know that skaters from all over central Texas will love having this new spot to skate. I've been blown away by the community of Dripping Springs ever since my family moved here in 2015. Dennis Baldwin was actually one of the first people I met in town. He's been a shining light ever since day one. He had the vision for this skate park and making Dripping Springs a fun, safe place for young people,” said Ben Kweller, Dorian’s dad. “Losing Dorian in 2023 was unimaginable. We think about him every day and miss him desperately. Though he won't be here to physically ride these ramps with his friends, his name lives on through this park and that's a tremendous honor."

The official ribbon cutting will be at 9:30 a.m. and competitions and contests open to all ages, with prizes, will be from 10 a.m. to noon. Then, at noon, the skate park will officially be open for all ages to enjoy; it will be open daily from dawn to dusk.

For questions on the skatepark, contact Drip SB (formerly DS Skatepark, Inc) at [email protected].