The president of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board, Arun Agarwal, was reappointed to his position by the Dallas City Council on Wednesday.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Agarwal is CEO of the Dallas-based textile company Nextt. He also serves as vice chair of Gov. Greg Abbott’s Texas Economic Development Corporation and was appointed leader of the Community Bond Task Force Committee for the 2024 Capital Bond Program by Mayor Eric Johnson.
Agarwal is now set to serve his second two-year term as head of Dallas Park and Recreation’s board, according to a press release sent to The Dallas Express. Agarwal has served on the board since 2019 and was appointed chair in 2021.
Mayor Johnson and the Dallas City Council unanimously reappointed Agarwal during Wednesday’s council meeting.
“Every citizen has a personal connection to the park system, and ensuring the beautification of our city is a top priority for myself and the board, and this initiative continues to be one of the top priorities for Mayor Johnson,” said Agarwal, per the press release.
“From local neighborhood parks to our crown jewel, the Dallas Arboretum, parks help improve our quality of life and help drive economic development. I’m honored to be reappointed by the mayor, the city council, and the Park and Recreation department to make Dallas a thriving outdoor recreation destination,” Agarwal said.
The press release claims that Dallas parks “have seen a renaissance” under Agarwal’s leadership, citing the opening of Harwood Park in Downtown Dallas and the passing of Fair Park Proposition A.
As reported by The Dallas Express, city residents passed Prop A in November 2022. The proposition allowed the City to increase the hotel occupancy tax by 2% and direct those funds toward replacing the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and restoring Fair Park.
The 4-acre Harwood Park opened last month. It includes playground equipment designed to resemble large mammoths, as well as pickleball courts and a splash pad.
Agarwal said public parks now make up 15% of Downtown Dallas. Public parks have been one of the top three priorities of Mayor Johnson, alongside public safety and property tax reform.
