ANNA, Texas — Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk made unexpected appearances at two North Texas skateparks on Tuesday, thrilling local fans and showing that he still commands the board with skill and style.
Hawk dropped by the public Anna Skatepark at Slayter Creek Park and the private Dallas skatepark 4DWN, sharing videos of his visits on social media. At 57 years old, the skateboarding pioneer impressed with smooth rails and clean landings — though he did take a small fall during his time in Anna, a reminder that even legends face the occasional spill.
City of Anna officials were just as surprised as everyone else. “He just showed up!” the city posted on Instagram. “Luckily for us, our Parks Maintenance crew were at the park working and noticed him!” The city shared photos of Hawk and thanked him for the visit. Many followers asked if the visit was planned, but it was a complete surprise.
At 4DWN skatepark in Dallas, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary last month, Hawk toured the facility’s ramps, hydroponic farm, cold storage, and composting system. 4DWN, owned by Dallas skateboarding icon Mike Crum, offers more than just a skatepark; it hosts girls-only skate sessions, recovery meetings, and provides food donations from its urban farm to help combat food insecurity. Hawk hinted at a possible return to the venue.
Tony Hawk began his professional skateboarding career at age 14 and quickly became a global icon. Known as the greatest skateboarder of all time, he won over 70 competitions and helped popularize the sport worldwide. Hawk also inspired the blockbuster video game series Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, which has sold more than 30 million copies.
Though Hawk has stepped back from competitive skating, he remains active through his skateboarding brand Birdhouse and his philanthropy with The Skatepark Project. This nonprofit helps build public skateparks in underserved communities, continuing his impact on the sport and its culture.
Hawk’s surprise visits have left North Texas skateparks buzzing, reminding everyone why he remains a beloved figure in skateboarding nearly four decades into his career.