Fair Park, a historic cornerstone of Dallas and home to the State Fair of Texas, is grappling with significant challenges as crumbling infrastructure and alleged mismanagement have left the venue in disrepair.
The Dallas Park and Recreation Board, tasked with overseeing the park’s revival, expressed frustration and urgency during a recent meeting, highlighting the need for immediate repairs and a new vision for the park’s future.
Photos presented at the meeting revealed the extent of the deterioration, showing Fair Park’s signature fountain in stark contrast to its condition before the city hired Oak View Group (OVG) to manage the venue. Images of crumbling buildings and graffiti underscored years of neglect.
“Seeing this makes me angry. We call it ‘Fair Park’ and it’s been so unfairly treated,” said Park Board President Arun Agarwal, per WFAA.
The city terminated its contract with OVG after discovering the management firm had misused donations intended for park development. Agarwal, who requested a forensic audit of OVG nearly a year ago, cited red flags in contracts for events like Rolling Stones concerts.
“I think it’s a clear example of how absolute power corrupts. Yes, OVG was responsible. They did not do basic maintenance, and they left all those assets much worse from when we gave it to them,” he said, Fox 4 KDFW reported.
The nonprofit Fair Park First, which worked with OVG, also saw its contract remain unrenewed, and its CEO, Brian Luallen, resigned in July 2024 amid the controversy.
Separately, former OVG CEO Tim Leiweke was indicted last month by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to rig the bidding process for a basketball arena at the University of Texas in Austin.
With OVG and Fair Park First out, the Dallas Parks Department has taken over operations. Park and Recreation Director John Jenkins outlined a plan to hire external companies for maintenance and venue rentals while appointing a manager to oversee contracts.
A presentation to the board detailed over $2.8 million in necessary repairs, including sidewalks and HVAC systems, much of which Jenkins attributed to neglected maintenance.
“It adds up to millions of dollars of deferred maintenance that needs to be addressed immediately,” he said, per WFAA.
Board members voiced a strong commitment to revitalizing Fair Park, emphasizing its role as a key community asset. However, they acknowledged challenges, including outdated infrastructure that complicates event logistics and insufficient revenue from events to cover extensive capital needs.
Jenkins stressed the need for creative solutions to make Fair Park, often called the “Crown Jewel of South Dallas,” more self-sufficient. “We have to think outside the box to make sure that Fair Park is going to be successful going forward,” he said, WFAA reported.
The board is focused on community engagement and collaboration with existing tenants to ensure the park serves both visitors and local residents. Discussions are ongoing about potential changes to the management model to maximize Fair Park’s potential.
Despite the challenges, board members expressed determination to prevent further decline, promising actionable plans to restore the park and foster community pride.
As Dallas prepares for upcoming events like the State Fair of Texas, Jenkins assured the board that the park would be ready, but the path to long-term sustainability remains uncertain. The city’s renewed control over Fair Park marks a critical turning point, with hopes of transforming it into a vibrant hub for future generations.