From pipe dream to half-pipe: Culver celebrates new skatepark with touching tribute after years of community effort
Claire Elmer
(Update: Adding video)
CULVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — In Culver, families now have a new place to get active — and a lasting reminder of the kind of community spirit one woman inspired for decades.
The city celebrated the grand opening of its new skatepark and pickleball courts this past weekend, dedicated in memory of longtime Culver teacher’s aide Darlene Urbach, who passed away from cancer in 2019.
The project first took shape years earlier, when a Culver student and young skateboarder approached the city with a simple wish for a safe place to skate. What started as a pipe dream turned into an actual half pipe after the community rallied to make it a reality.
Darlene, known for her love of kids and involvement in her community, used to love taking her grandchildren all over the region to visit various skateparks. After her passing, the idea to raise funds in her memory to support the park was a no-brainer for volunteers.
“She’d be super happy,” said her son, Jason Urbach. “The amount of kids running around right now, having fun — that would be the best part of it for her.”
Over the course of six years, her family, local 4-H youth, city leaders and residents raised more than $100,000 through grassroots efforts — from community grants and donation drives to scooter raffles and personal fundraisers.
Volunteer Cindy Dix, who helped lead the campaign from the star, said every contribution reflected the town’s determination to finish what Darlene had championed.
“What makes me the happiest — seeing all these kids behind me on their skateboards,” Dix said. “I couldn’t be more excited for our community and all the kids.”
The park’s completion was made possible with help from a $750,000 Oregon Parks and Recreation Department grant, funded through Oregon Lottery dollars, as well as support from Jefferson County and local sponsors. The new facilities include a concrete skate zone, custom ramps, and adjacent pickleball courts designed to encourage outdoor recreation for all ages.
At Saturday’s ribbon-cutting, Culver school officials and city representatives joined dozens of residents in honoring Urbach’s memory. Her daughter, Jennifer Harrington, said the park represents her mother’s enduring devotion to Culver’s youth.
“This is a special place to us,” Harrington said. “For our family to have this, and for our mom to be represented like this — it was just a dream.”
During the event, KTVZ, along with Mid Oregon Credit Union and Dutch Bros Coffee, recognized Dix with our Pay It Forward award for her years of volunteer leadership in bringing the project to completion.
Culver leaders said the new park symbolizes the power of community connection — a space that celebrates both youthful energy and the people who shaped this small town’s heart.
The skate park and pickleball courts are open daily at Culver City Park, offering a new recreational hub for families across Jefferson County.