The City of Dallas plans to address a shortage of parks in one North Oak Cliff neighborhood, which impacts thousands of residents.
Molly Morgan, the Texas director for Trust for Public Land, a group focused on providing park access to residents, said the North Oak Cliff neighborhood is currently a park desert.
“We believe everyone deserves the right to a park trailer, green space within a 10-minute walk from their home. Right now, Dallas is at about 74% park access, which is great. It’s 20% higher than 10 years ago when TPL started working in Dallas on this,” said Morgan, per WFAA.
Councilman Chad West raised the issue, proposing that the City purchase the 9,000-square-foot plot at South Waverly Drive and convert it into a pocket park.
“We’re going to serve 4,500 people and 760 residents, 85 of whom are Latino, will now have access into a park within a 10-minute walk from their homes,” said West.
The proposal was approved by the Dallas City Council, which voted to move forward with the land purchase.
“We know that parks have benefits for people’s health, their well-being, for children in neighborhoods who need access to the outdoors,” Morgan said.
Last year, The Dallas Express covered a study that found what many people already suspect: the sounds of nature are soothing, while traffic noises are stressful. Including a park in the neighborhood will provide a much-needed buffer from traffic along with the tranquility a park can provide.
“Having a public place where people can gather is so important… Right now, for us to get to a park, it’s over a mile away,” said Matthey Flaherty, the former president of Hampton Hills Neighborhood Association.
Last month, The Dallas Express reported that workers broke ground in a new northeast Dallas park. The one-acre park being constructed on the Forest Village Shopping Center parking lot at Forest Lane and Audelia Road will include a playground, pavilions, multi-use sports courts, and more.