Fair Park First revealed its tentative plans for a new development Wednesday that is slated to increase the square footage of park space at Fair Park in South Dallas.
“The Dallas Parks and Recreation Board is thrilled to help build a new 18-acre community park with our partner Fair Park First,” stated Arun Agarwal, board president of Dallas Park and Recreation, per WFAA.
Fair Park First is a private nonprofit that manages the day-to-day operations at Fair Park.
Amenities at the new park are set to include an outdoor performance stage, a dog park, exercise equipment, playgrounds, outdoor cafes, and Wi-Fi.
During his State of the City address on November 15, 2022, Mayor Eric Johnson stated that he wanted the park expansion to be a priority for the City in 2024.
Less than two weeks later, he issued a memo to the City requesting an inventory of vacant land that could be turned into public spaces, as previously reported in The Dallas Express.
“Creating new public spaces out of land we already own can improve the health and quality of life of countless residents, children, and families across Dallas,” Johnson wrote in the memo.
“Encouraging play and physical activity are vital to the overall health of our community, and what better way to do so than to provide a new, vibrant 18-acre community park,” said former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, current co-chair for the “Fair Park Your Park” campaign, per Broadway World.
“I am proud to serve as co-chair on this capital campaign to raise the needed funds for this park. We know this new community asset will contribute to healthier, brighter, and stronger futures for the neighborhoods and beyond,” Kirk added.
The passage of Proposition A last November authorized an increase in the City’s hotel occupancy tax, which would, in part, be used to pay for improvements to Fair Park, as previously reported in The Dallas Express.
The new park is slated to open sometime in 2025, according to the press release.
It is currently unclear how much taxpayer money would be needed for the project. The Fair Park Your Park campaign goal is $93 million, $25 million of which has so far been raised.