Creating + Growing the Skateboarding Community in DSM
When you hear Des Moines, Iowa, I’m sure a thriving skateboarding town is not the first thing you think of. Being one of the dots on the skateboarding community map was something that only those who knew what goofy-foot or indy grab was could fathom happening here … a vision that only Norm Sterzenbach and youth in the Greater Des Moines (DSM) skating community could imagine. With Lauridsen Skatepark in the works, Norm pushed for partners to help lift up the DSM skate community. By reaching out and bringing together close colleagues and friends throughout the region, he formed what is known as Skate DSM. Skate DSM is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to make DSM a community where skateboarding is a celebrated activity for all ages. As the organization works with public and private organizations to host programs and events that educate and build positive relationships in the skateboarding arena, this vision is now becoming a reality.
Creating a Skateboarding Legacy in DSM
The next 20 years would be a wild ride for Norm and community partners as they reached out to the Dew Tour leadership to gauge their interest in holding their event in Des Moines. The COVID-19 restrictions in the state of California, where the tour had typically been held, would ultimately make it impossible to hold such a large gathering there. Skate DSM, Polk County Conservation, Subsect skate shop and Polk County came together to pitch Lauridsen Skatepark as the future home of the event, and in doing so, brought the 2021 Dew Tour to Downtown DSM.
Now that the Dew Tour is over, Skate DSM is still moving full speed ahead hosting youth skate clinics over the summer and fall. Skate DSM’s goal is to teach kids the benefits of skateboarding and basic skills like safety, balance, pushing, stopping, etc. Skateboarding is seen as a positive outlet for many of DSM’s youth. Skate DSM will continue to offer support and recognition to skaters of all ages now and into the future.
Recently ranked a top five metro for number of economic development projects among metros with a population of 200,000 to 1 million, growth continues in and around Downtown Des Moines (DSM) in part thanks to unique public-private partnerships that allow community leaders to work together to invest in, grow and improve the city center. Learn more about other recent development projects in Downtown DSM.
Downtown Des Moines (DSM) is a growing, vibrant community that offers the energy, sophistication, housing and attractions of a burgeoning city with a brilliant future. It’s also easy to visit with plentiful and affordable street and ramp parking options.