Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk stunned North Texas fans on June 10 with a surprise visit to Slayter Creek Park’s skatepark. At 57, the icon showed no signs of slowing down, grinding rails and nailing tricks while filming for social media.
“The birdman himself stopped by Slayter Creek Park skatepark and shredded,” the city of Anna shared on Facebook. “Memories were made, legend status confirmed.”
Photos posted by the city captured Hawk talking with young skaters, offering encouragement and posing for pictures with city staff. “We loved having him in Anna,” the post said. “Come visit the Skatepark at 425 W Rosamond Pkwy, Anna.”
A New Chapter for Slayter Creek Park
Hawk’s visit also puts a spotlight on the city’s investment in Slayter Creek Park, which underwent major renovations completed in 2024. The upgraded amenities include expanded parking, modern restrooms, new pickleball and basketball courts, a splash pad and a custom concrete skatepark with a pump track, replacing the old pre-fab metal ramps.
"We partnered with real riders by using organizations like SPA Skateparks and New Line Skateparks to build something authentic," Anna Public Affairs Manager Frances La Rue told Local Profile. "This wasn’t a cookie-cutter park. It’s a custom, integrated piece of Slayter Creek Park and it’s been drawing interest from cities across the state. Together, our community built something genuinely special."
For Anna, the improvements are part of a broader effort to expand community recreation options. But for local skaters, an endorsement from the Tony Hawk may be the biggest highlight yet.
"Tony Hawk could have skated anywhere in the world, and he chose Anna," La Rue said. "That’s not just a proud moment; it’s a testament to the incredible collaboration, passion and purpose poured into this skatepark. When we began planning improvements to Slayter Creek Park, our goal was to create a destination, not just for Anna, but for the entire region. Tony Hawk’s visit shows we’ve done exactly that."
"We want to say, 'Thank you, Tony Hawk, for showing up and giving our community a memory that will last forever,'" said La Rue.
The Skateboarding Legend
Hawk turned pro at just 14 and went on to dominate the sport, winning more than 70 competitions and forever altering the global perception of skateboarding. Often hailed as the greatest skater of all time, Hawk has shifted his focus in recent years toward his company Birdhouse and The Skatepark Project, a nonprofit that funds public skateparks in underserved communities. Nearly $13 million has been awarded by The Skatepark Project to help create public skateparks in communities across the country.
Don't miss anything Local. Sign up for our free newsletter.
