Why Is It So Hard to Build a Skatepark in Truckee?

The Challenge:

The Rocker Memorial Skatepark (RMSP) is a planned 25,000 sq. ft. community skatepark in Truckee River Regional Park. Despite broad community support, the project faces serious funding obstacles. Why?

🚧 Truckee’s Unique Government Structure:

  • Town of Truckee (inc. 1993): Handles roads, trails, sidewalks, planning—not sports or recreation.
  • Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District (TDRPD) (est. 1963): Manages parks and programs—but lacks major capital funds.

Unlike most towns with a unified Parks & Rec department, Truckee splits responsibilities between two separate agencies—neither of which fully funds projects like RMSP.

💸 Who Gets Your Property Tax?

From $1,000 in Property Tax Nevada County Example
Town of Truckee $60 (6.04%)
TDRPD (Recreation) $27 (2.71%)
Others (schools, fire, etc) $913 (91.25%)

TDRPD’s share is for operations—not construction. The Town contributes $0 toward skateparks.

🧱 Why RMSP Must Raise ~$3.3 Million Privately:

  • Land is public (TDRPD), but not funded
  • Town permits + CEQA required for development
  • Town-required civil improvements: ADA paths, curbs, drainage, landscaping—all at skatepark’s expense
  • No Town or TDRPD capital budget allocated

🧩 This Creates a Funding Gap:

The skatepark must meet public project requirements — but is funded like a private one.

✅ What RMSP Has Done So Far:

  • $625K raised from local donations, grants & events
  • $215K+ spent on permits, design, CEQA
  • Over 1,000 volunteer hours donated
  • Project ready to build — but needs major funding to break ground

❤️ Why It Matters:

RMSP will offer a free, inclusive, all-ages recreation space, reduce car travel to distant skateparks, and honor a local legacy — Steve “Rocker” Anderson.

🔑 Want to Help Close the Gap?

Let’s build the skatepark Truckee has dreamed of — together.

FAQ: Why Doesn’t the Town of Truckee Pay for Sports?

What types of recreational projects does the Town of Truckee fund?

Answer:
 The Town of Truckee primarily funds recreational infrastructure that supports non-motorized transportation and environmental preservation. This includes:

  • Trails and Connectivity: Multi-use paths, bike lanes, sidewalks, and ADA improvements.

  • Open Space Preservation: Land acquisition for scenic, ecological, or community value.

  • Environmental Infrastructure: Projects like stormwater management and wetlands restoration with recreational co-benefits.

Learn more:

Why doesn’t the Town fund sports facilities and programs?

Answer:
 The Town of Truckee’s funding focus does not include traditional sports infrastructure like fields, gyms, pools, or league-based recreation. Instead, its resources are directed toward community-wide access through trails, sustainability, and infrastructure projects that support healthy, active lifestyles without requiring team-based participation.

Who pays for and manages sports facilities in Truckee?

Answer:
 Sports fields, courts, swimming pools, and associated programs are funded and operated by the Truckee-Donner Recreation and Park District (TDRPD)—a separate government agency from the Town of Truckee. TDRPD is funded through:

  • Its own share of local property taxes

  • User fees for classes, sports, and facility rentals

Learn more about TDRPD

How is Truckee’s structure different from other towns?

Answer:
 In many cities and towns across the U.S., Parks & Recreation departments are divisions of the municipal government, meaning the same city council oversees both general town services and recreation facilities. Truckee operates differently.
 Here, TDRPD is an independent special district, with its own board of directors, funding sources, and management responsibilities. This separation means:

  • The Town of Truckee handles roads, trails, planning, and public safety

  • The TDRPD manages parks, sports fields, recreation programs, pools, and community centers

This structure often confuses residents and visitors who are used to cities where one office manages both roads and recreation.

Is there overlap between the Town and TDRPD?

Answer:
 While both agencies aim to serve the Truckee community, they operate independently and have separate budgets and responsibilities. However, they may collaborate on shared-use projects like:

  • Connecting trails to parks

  • Supporting large-scale grant applications

  • Coordinating community events

Where can I learn more?

Town of Truckee Recreation Focus:

TDRPD Sports & Rec Services

Skatepark Model Unveiling

Skatepark Model Unveiling + Community Update

December 10, 5:00–6:30 PM
at the Community Rec Center

We’re beyond stoked to invite YOU to the Unveiling of the Rocker Memorial Skatepark Model—an incredible creation designed and donated by the legendary Andrew “Jello” Frank and Space Cadet CNC, a long-time friend of RMSP.

This one-of-a-kind model will have a permanent home so skaters of all ages can bring their fingerboards and shred mini-style.

Every attendee gets a FREE raffle ticket for a chance to win a GoPro Hero 12 Black—perfect for capturing your next epic session.

Don’t miss this chance to celebrate, connect, ask questions, talk with TDRPD staff supporters, and get hyped for what’s coming. See you there!

$100,000 Donated by Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation

At the TDRPD board meeting on March 28, 2024, we were honored by a donation from Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation to be attributed towards construction. They presented us with a ‘big check’ and Rocker supporters were there to celebrate! RMSP also moved $100,000 from our CharitySmith fund into TDRPD (this money was raised by our amazing community over the last ten years). This is a $200,000 leap towards beginning breaking ground soon! We’re in the final fundraising push for construction costs.

Status Update March 2024

Colin at TDPRD MOU in February 2024

We’ve been working hard behind-the-scenes to try and get the conditions of approval from the town of Truckee signed off on by all involved parties which requires coordination of no less than three public agencies to allow us to get the building permits.

During this process, it came to light that there was no formal agreement between RMSP and the park district that specifies responsibilities, maintenance & ownership of the park long-term. Working with the Park District general manager, Sven Leff, we were able to create a MOU, which stands for memorandum of understanding, that clearly outlines the goals and roles/responsibilities. We signed this document with support of the TDRPD board at the February 22, 2024 board meeting. A key element of this agreement is that it defines the threshold at which we can start building Rocker Memorial Skatepark. There is also a specific account set up with the Park District for donations to go into that is designated for skate park use only.

We’re excited to announce that Tahoe Mountain Realty foundation has donated One Hundred Thousand dollars ($100,000!!!) which will be deposited into the Park District account for RMSP. we can’t thank TMRF enough for their support, we believe this is a foundational step towards raising the funds required for Construction. Their ‘Big Check’ will be presented to TDRPD on March 28th at 6pm at the Rec Center. If you have the ability, please come out to support.

Regarding the full construction costs, it’s important to keep in mind that this is a very large project that includes not only the skate park area, but also all of the civil improvements such as sidewalk, curb and gutter, landscaping, and a 28 space parking lot situated next to a wetlands area. We are in the process of bidding out all of the different elements that go into this entire project and total cost estimates range between 1.7 and $2.1 million for the total project cost. we can start building once we’ve reached 70% of anticipated project costs whether in cash or confirmed in material donations.

In that respect we still have a long way to go, however, with donations of in-kind materials, we can bring that total project cost down and get closer and closer to the threshold for when we can break ground with each donation that we receive. Help is needed finding donors, researching/applying for grants and community out reach. Can you help us reach out to donors and find grants? Please reach out all of our contact info is below.

Rubicon Pizza raises $20,000 for Rocker Memorial Skate Park

Published February 13, 2024 in the Sierra Sun

TRUCKEE, Calif. – Rubicon Pizza Co., located in the Village at Northstar, recently awarded a check for $20,000 to the Rocker Memorial Skate Park.

“Rubicon is proud to support our community through frequent fundraising events,” said Ray Villaman, owner and CEO of Rubicon Pizza Company. “We are thrilled to have had the success we did during this year’s fundraising efforts. We are excited to assist with a community project that will be a safe and fun place for people to gather. It is because of Rubicon’s management, employees, Rocker Skatepark volunteers, our partner companies, and many individuals who supported that we were able to make the contribution,” he added. “I am particularly proud of our GM, Mike Phillips, for orchestrating this year’s fundraising efforts.”

Rubicon donated $20,000 for the calendar year 2023. According to Villaman, the $20,000 sum is one of the most successful fundraising efforts for Rubicon since it was established in 2007.

“The donation from Rubicon to Rocker Memorial Skatepark is a catalyst for significant forward movement in our goal to build a generational asset for North Lake Tahoe. Thank you to all of Rubicon’s staff for their support through one of the biggest winters ever in Tahoe, with Northstar reporting over 640″ of snow! Special thanks to owner Ray Villaman and manager Mike Philips for their commitment to local fundraising, from hosting pizza slice sales in the Village all winter long (sometimes in blizzard conditions), to a fully staffed fundraising dinner. Your support has been critical in helping to raise funds for construction, and has also provided an incredible opportunity to educate the public on what we are building. Thank you, Rubicon Pizza Co!” said Colin Robinson, Director of Rocker Memorial Skatepark.

The Rocker Memorial Skatepark’s goal is to construct a new, state-of-the-art, 25,000 sq. ft. expansion to complement the current skatepark in Truckee. Skateparks are a vibrant, creative part of sustainably healthy communities. As a gathering place for dedicated, athletic youth, the RMSP will expand the forum for visitors young and old, beginning and skilled, to meet and share experiences. For many skateboarding youth, the skatepark becomes a home-away-from-home.

Rubicon Pizza has always been known for giving back to the Truckee community and has awarded over $150,000 to local non-profits over the past decade. One of Rubicon’s biggest ways of giving back is by sponsoring a local non-profit organization for the year, which is voted on and chosen annually by the staff. This past year the team rallied to support the Rocker Memorial Skatepark.

Throughout the year, Rubicon and the chosen non-profit partner up to sell pizza slices at an outdoor pizza cart during busy times in the village. Rubicon also encourages guests to donate extra cash on their bills to the non-profit and at the end of the year, throws a Fall Fundraising Feast where guests are invited to have a night full of fun with live music, a raffle, and an all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta and salad buffet. Rubicon’s staff volunteers their time for the night, and all proceeds are donated back to the non-profit.

Rubicon’s General Manager, Mike Phillips, sums up the event, “It’s very rewarding to be afforded the opportunity to give back to our community. The stewardship displayed by Rocker Memorial Skatepark and other local non-profits make Truckee a special place to live.”

For more information or to make a donation to help The Rocker Memorial Skatepark realize its goals

ENKC Foundation Donates $5,000 to RMSP

A huge thank you to the Ian Casey Foundation (ENKC) who donated $5,000 to Rocker Memorial Skatepark to support our efforts build modern, multi-level expansion skatepark built in the Truckee Regional Park where youth can gather to make friends and improve their board skills.

Gone Boarding at Truckee High School

RMSP paid a visit to Truckee High School to check out the skateboard build process. What an incredible program they have over there. All students build and shape a skateboard in Gone Boarding 1, and in Gone Boarding 2 they get the choice of what to build.

We saw skis, snowboards, and surfboards all in production. Every aspect of the manufacturing process for board sports are covered in the class (CNC, Laser Engraving, Gluing, Pressing, Glassing, Edging), and students leave the class with a functional piece of hand-made awesome. Teacher Mike Bensley does an excellent job motivating students to make something great.

Gone Boarding class at Truckee High School
Gone Boarding class at Truckee High School

Thank You to the Martis Camp Foundation!

A huge shoutout and thank you to the Martis Camp Foundation who donated $30K toward Rocker Memorial Skatepark. We are so thrilled that so many community members see the value of this incredible expansion of our current skatepark. Not only will the new park add beginner-friendly terrain but it will also add more advanced features so your extremely board-talented populace can continue to grow and excel. We are so grateful to the residents of Martis Camp, who after extensive grant writing and interview, chose the Rocker Memorial Skate Park as one of their 2022 beneficiaries. Thank you, Martis Camp Foundation!