Molalla Skate Park Rebuild

Project Summary:

The Molalla Skate Park is being rebuilt in memory of Timateo De La Cruz, the teenager who helped bring the original park to life in 2000. The Timateo De La Cruz Memorial Skate Park Foundation is leading this effort in partnership with the City of Molalla, with a permanent memorial to Timateo built into the new park.

How It Started

In 1997, a 14-year-old named Timateo De La Cruz saw that Molalla needed a real place to skate — so he did something about it. He organized his friends, spoke with local business owners, and worked with City leaders to make it happen. In 2000, the Molalla Skate Park opened its gates for the first time, and for the next 25 years it gave the community's kids somewhere safe to ride, skate, and belong.

Timateo passed away in 2022. Twenty-five years after he helped build it, the park he fought for has reached the end of its useful life.

Why This Is the Second Effort to Rebuild It

This is not the community's first attempt to rebuild the Molalla Skate Park. An earlier initiative began with different leadership, who ultimately had to step back before the project could move forward. Timateo's family recognized what that meant for the community and for Timateo's legacy, and made the decision to step in.

In April 2026, they founded the Timateo De La Cruz Memorial Skate Park Foundation to take up the effort and see it through — not just to rebuild a skate park, but to make sure it carries Timateo's name and spirit forward. On July 22, 2026, the Molalla City Council formally partnered with the Foundation to move the project ahead together.

Why We're Involved

The Foundation exists because Timateo's family wanted his legacy to mean something lasting for Molalla, the same way his effort at 14 years old did. Every member of our Board is committed to finishing what he started, and to doing it in a way that reflects the same community spirit he showed in 1997 — transparently, and with the whole town's involvement.

Honoring Timateo

A permanent memorial to Timateo will be built directly into the new park — not an afterthought, but part of the design from the start. As the professional design process moves forward, the Foundation and City will work together on what that memorial looks like, with input from the community and from Timateo's family.

Where Things Stand Today

• Foundation status: Established April 2026; recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in May 2026
• City partnership: Approved by Molalla City Council on July 22, 2026
• Funding goal: $750,000-$1,000,000 for a modern, accessible skate park with improved site work, drainage, seating, and the Timateo memorial
• Funding gate: At least $500,000 must be raised or committed before the project moves into professional design
• Current phase: Fundraising and community engagement

How Funds Are Handled

All donations are deposited into a dedicated nonprofit account at U.S. Bank, held solely in the Foundation's name and never mixed with personal funds. Any contract, purchase, or financial commitment of $100,000 or more requires approval from the full Foundation Board before it moves forward.

Get Involved

• Follow the Foundation's Facebook page for regular updates; Timateo De La Cruz Memorial Skate Park Foundation Facebook
• Attend an upcoming community engagement session to share your thoughts on the project
• Support the effort volunteering
• Watch for a community survey, coming soon, to help shape decisions about the rebuilt park
• Donate via Cash App: $TimateoDmsp
• Donate on our fundraising site: Donate here
• If you are a business and would like to donate materials or inquire about sponsorship packages, reach out and we'd be happy to collaborate
• Sign up to 'The Current,' to receive updates