Dallas parks prove that nature and concrete can live in harmony
Concrete no longer rules. Dallas has proven that green spaces and concrete can coexist in harmony. We see grass replacing asphalt all over the city. Parks are the universal equalizer – regardless of background, status or neighborhood, anyone can enjoy a park or trail.
Dallas has a federally recognized, award-winning park division that is one of the largest urban park systems in the country and welcomes 30 million visitors annually. We have:
398 parks
256 sports fields
201 playgrounds
160 miles of trails
43 recreation centers
17 community pools and water centers
17 spray stations
6 golf courses
5 tennis centers
4 dog parks
And every year our parking system returns $ 678 million to the local economy. We have to keep this going.
Never before has there been so much momentum and public support for parks and trail projects in Dallas as there is today. Certainly, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many of us outdoors in search of sunshine, exercise, and socially distant community. We saw record park and hiking trail usage during the pandemic, and many of those numbers continue to hold up. Citizens began to really understand the value of their neighborhood park or path.
We already knew that parks add to our quality of life, but parks are also massive economic engines. The ability to attract new developments, create jobs, and add property value in neighborhoods to parks has an annual economic value of $ 345 million.
You may not know, but there is significant green infrastructure investment going on across the city right now, and here are just a few examples:
· Hillcrest Village Green in Far North Dallas opened in January and now has restaurants and terraces surrounding it on all sides.
· The LOOP will connect 39 miles of existing hiking trails with 11 miles of newly built hiking trails, helping to improve access to public transportation and recreational activities across the city.
The Northaven Trail Bridge connects this trail via the Central Expressway to the Cottonwood and White Rock Creek Trails on the east side.
The Fair Park Community Park and Master Plan Implementation will add 17 acres of green space where there is currently concrete.
· The Woody Branch acquisition from Five Mile Creek will create 82 acres of wooded, protected parkland in Oak Cliff.
· Klyde Warren Park Phase 2.0 expands the existing park 1.5 hectares to the west and includes a three-story pavilion, open space for farmers’ markets and a winter ice rink, an expanded children’s playground, a dog park and the tallest interactive fountain in the world.
· Southern Gateway Deck Park creates a $ 82 million park on Interstate 35 in front of the Dallas Zoo. It will have large open lawns, 250 trees, a play area, water feature, food trucks, outdoor classrooms, a gazebo and a presentation of the history of Oak Cliff.
Parks for Downtown Dallas will complete the remaining two of its four downtown parks: Carpenter Park will open in spring 2022; Harwood Park has just broken ground and will open in spring 2023. All four parks were previously parking lots or buildings.
Finally, the Cool Schools partnership with the Texas Trees Foundation and the Trust for Public Land increases access to a park just 10 minutes’ walk from home for thousands of Dallas residents by using dozens of Dallas ISD playgrounds Circular paths, trees, benches and other amenities.
Dallas is also adding recreational facilities, including an iconic $ 4 million, 40,000-square-foot skate park on Bachman Lake, adjacent to the new Family Aquatics Center, which is currently under construction.
For every dollar we spend or invest in infrastructure, new parks, playgrounds, and other recreational facilities, there is a 7 to 1 return on the investment. And trails have an even higher ROI of 50: 1.
Many of these projects were partially funded through the 2017 bond program together with private non-profit organizations or foundations. I applaud the private and philanthropic sectors for putting themselves at the forefront of funding what the city’s general fund couldn’t – or wouldn’t – to create new, free additions to the city.
For many decades the prevailing philosophy in town hall was that parks were a waste of costs and money. But that paradigm has changed. City guides know that parks and trails encourage new business, new housing developments, and tourism. I appreciate the unwavering support from Mayor Eric Johnson and the city council to the parks department, as well as the support from city council members who continue to advocate park projects and funding.
Serving as President and Representative of District 13 on the Dallas Park and Recreation Board has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. We are blessed with an exceptional board of directors who value equity, innovation, and financial responsibility for these priceless public assets.
I never could have predicted the passion, work, or dedication I would have for this role, but I enjoy volunteering on behalf of the Dallas people to improve their quality of life and improve the urban landscape.
I hope we can continue to see record usage of our parks, trails and recreation centers. Personally, I hope the Fair Park master plan is fully implemented, the Southern Gateway Deck Park financed and built, the 20 acre park in Dallas Midtown created, and the Ballfield in Reverchon Parkand historically restored.
Dallas has always been a city of great ideas and great people. We cannot rest on our laurels; We need to keep these ideas and momentum going. I hope you continue to use your neighborhood park or trail and even get involved with a friend group or public-private partner.
Dallas parks are a good investment. They will not only enrich your life, but also enrich the city for many years to come.
Calvert Collins-Bratton is District 13 representative and outgoing President of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board. She wrote this column for the Dallas Morning News.
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