Today we’d like to introduce you to Victor Nelson.
The City of Grand Prairie, Texas – better known for its horse racing track Lone Star Park, Verizon Theater & soon to be Epic & Epic Waters – is also home to Action Park Grand Prairie.
This world class facility first opened its gates in 2000 as GPX Skatepark & Entertainment Center. After a short-lived run from 2000 – 2005, GPX officially closed its gates, although it is worth noting that the facility did host the 2001 & 2002 X Games Trials.
After almost a year off, the facility reopened in 2006 as Alliance Skatepark of Grand Prairie in partnership with Action Park Alliance – A professional skatepark management company – & the City of Grand Prairie. With a fresh look, new programs, park features and true skateboarders running the facility in a respectable way – the park started to see success and growth like never before. The addition of Fort Worth based retail brand “Rhythm Skateshop” in 2011 ignited industry recognition with features on The Berrics and “Best Skateboarding” in the 2014 Connect The Dots international skate video contest.
With changing trends and a diverse customer base the facility constantly changed its layout year-to-year to ensure avid customer interest. In 2012 a classic North Texas thunderstorm made its way through and demolished a large section of the park, but every cloud certainly had a silver lining as this allowed for the first of 2 major park renovations.
The years carried on with new opportunities at every corner. Seeing past the boundaries of the skatepark the team at ASP created events such as the D-Town Throw Down, the largest street skateboarding event ever hosted in Downtown Dallas.
Although the roots run deep in the skateboarding community, times changed and for growth to continue it was in 2016 that ASP re-adapted its business model to begin catering to a more active lifestyle customer. After finalizing its second major facelift, ASP reopened its gates November 2016 officially as Action Park Grand Prairie. Bringing us to present day operations, where customers may enjoy skateboarding, the only public foam pit in the state, BMX and MTB trails and features, full gym with training program, live music stage, monthly car shows and MORE!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
• Changing times in a fluctuating industry called for re-adapting our business model
• The storm damage from 2012 left us at mercy to the elements for almost a year
We’d love to hear more about your business.
• Largest action sports facility in the state
• Only public foam pit in the state
• Known for large events
• Every employee has a passion for what they do
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I spent most of my free time skateboarding at GPX where I now manage all staff, day to day operations and event coordinating. I am what they call a lifer. As a kid, I was always on my skateboard, goofy and never able to sit still for more than 10 mins.
Pricing:
- $10 Weekday Entry $12 Weekend Entry Skaters & Scooters
- $12 Weekday Entry $14 Weekend Entry All Bikes
- $5 Foam Pit add on $5 Open Gym Add On
- $10 Open Gym Day Pass
- $15 Daily Gym Class
Contact Info:
- Address: 1002 Lonestar Pkwy Grand Prairie TX 75050
Next to Gate 1 - Website: www.ActionParkGP.com
- Phone: 972.262.4479
- Email: VVNELSON@gmail.com
- Instagram: ActionParkGP
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ActionParkGrandPrairie
Image Credit:
Jonathan Zizzo
Christopher Shane Smith
Pat Ascherl
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
