Molalla, Oregon is a small community of a little more than 10,000 people. It's just 20 minutes south of Oregon City. In May of 1997, five local skaters led by my little brother, Timateo De La Cruz, went to City Council to ask for a skate park. They were tired of being kicked out of everywhere to skate. The City Council told them to develop a proposal. My younger brother and his friends didn’t know how to do that, so he came to me for help. I set to work and established a non-profit organization called SkatePark Investors to assist in the plans to get a skate park made. As CEO of SkatePark Investors, I welcomed the chance to give back to a place I called home for my entire childhood. Skate Park Investors worked for more than four years to help make the Molalla Skate Park a success by donating their time, money, and determination. We have worked in conjunction with the City of Molalla to establish a place where skaters can call their own and not worry about getting the police called on them for various complaints ranging from noise to just good old-fashioned FUN. SkatePark Investors recognized the need for such a place and facilitated the contact between the city officials and the skaters. Though it wasn't an easy task, we eventually were able to begin construction of the park. With a lot of volunteer time and energy, the skaters now have a home to call their own. On June 24, 2000, the Molalla Skate Park opened up for blading and boarding. Though those dreaded signs that read "No Rollerblading/Skateboarding," are still permanent landmarks throughout the city streets and sidewalks we accomplished a small town's big dream. However, the dream was short-lived. Due to budget constraints and not understanding what it took to make a skate park the city hired city engineers to make the plans for the skate park creating dangerously steep obstacles that few can handle. Now here we are 23 years later and looking to rebuild the park using legitimate skate park designers. Unfortunately, Timateo De La Cruz will not be joining us on this initiative as he passed away last year and therefore we are working towards having the new park renamed, ‘The Timateo De La Cruz Memorial Skate Park.’ I was brought back into this initiative because the initial one was so important to him, I felt it was my duty as his sister to see this one through. The community of Molalla supports the renaming of the rebuilt park after him.

Michelle Leis

Michelle Leis, was the first female to enter one of our skate competitions,in all 4 yrs. of comps.

SkatePark Investors' Mission:
SkatePark Investors hopes to maintain communication between the City of Molalla, skaters, and the skate organizations who can effectively help to make the Molalla Skate Park a success. While also, hosting skate competitions to recognize the talents of skaters of all race, religion, age, and/or sex.