09/16/2026
An update from GWL Skatepark Corp
Key Takeaways — GWL Skatepark Corp remains a fully volunteer team dedicated to honoring Dale Hirrel's memory and creating a lasting recreational space for the community in Dale’s name. Skyrocketing building materials and inflation over the past ten years stretched the project’s timeline and made a conventional skatepark less practical, so our team in collaboration with Dale’s family made the decision to move forward with a world-class, 8,000 square-foot paved asphalt pump-track. The proposed facility is designed to 1) develop skateboarding skills at every level, from young children and beginners to advanced skateboarders, and 2) also accommodate bikes and scooters. 100% of community donations are still earmarked for the facility's construction.
FULL TEXT
GREENWOOD LAKE, N.Y. — September 15, 2026 — It has been 10 years since a young man named Dale Hirrel was tragically taken from our community before his time. The Greenwood Lake Skate Park project began shortly after his passing, born from a dedicated mission to keep Dale’s memory alive while providing local youth with a physical space to build their own lasting memories.
Since its inception, this initiative has been sustained entirely by volunteers—largely a small, resilient group of 5 to 8 individuals whose faces have changed over the years. Juggling their own lives, responsibilities, and personal challenges, these community members gave selflessly of their time. Not a single member or officer of this organization has ever received any personal benefit of any kind. Financial records have been transparently maintained from day one, showing that every collected dollar has gone directly toward the project, supported by consistent, annual tax filings and open books available for public review.
Though many of these volunteers never had the opportunity to meet Dale personally, they worked tirelessly for a decade. They manned booths at local events, manufactured and sold merchandise, navigated complicated grant applications, organized art sales, 5K runs, golf outings, movie nights and commemorative concerts at the beach—all driven by a shared devotion to honor a young man they came to hold dear.
As building costs dramatically rose over the years, the fundraising timeline extended far beyond what was initially anticipated. During this prolonged period, a single-donor-funded skatepark was unexpectedly constructed in the Village of Warwick on a much quicker timeline and with a budget more than double what our community was able to raise. Faced with this reality, the organization in consultation with the Hirrel family made a deliberate choice: rather than building a conventional, 2000-square-foot skatepark that would feel inferior to the newly built facility in Warwick, the team resolved to maximize the community's generous donations.
The result is a soon-to-be-unveiled, world-class 8,000-square-foot asphalt pump track in the Village of Greenwood Lake designed for skateboarders, bikers, and scooter enthusiasts of all ages, young and old. The track is designed to accommodate advanced skateboarders, to absolute beginners and young children, making this park much more accessible to a larger audience than a conventional skatepark. We believe that if Dale were still with us today, he would love having the options of both a world-class skatepark and a world-class pump track within a 15-mile radius to enjoy. The Village of Greenwood Lake has entered into an agreement with Artisan Skatepark for the production of the park. Clearing and preparation of the area will commence in November of 2026, and construction will begin in the Spring of 2027.
Whether it is a pump track or a skate park, the essential purpose remains unchanged: to celebrate and remember Dale Hirrel. The organization has shared the plans for the park with Dale's family and are collaborating with them to determine the best way to physically commemorate him at the site, ensuring that his spirit is imbued into the park for generations to come.
Final design images and Official Naming of the park will be announced shortly.
The Village of Greenwood Lake and the GWL Skatepark Corp remain committed to absolute transparency and are always available to answer questions and provide updates. None of this would be possible without the support of this wonderful community and everyone involved and we want to ensure that no one in the community feels that their trust in this project has been betrayed. We will do our best to respond to every message received and kindly request that members of the community seek information directly through official channels rather than relying on unvalidated information from social media.
Media Contact: The Village of Greenwood Lake & GWL Skatepark Corp. For inquiries, please reach out directly through official municipal or organizational channels.
Photo: Members of the GWL Skatepark Corp after and emotional meeting with Dale Hirrel’s family showing them the final renderings of the park. One very important step toward finally making Dale’s dream a reality
