A forthcoming greenspace in southern Dallas was officially renamed Halperin Park this week to coincide with Earth Day.
On April 22, the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation, City of Dallas officials, and the Halperin Foundation symbolically planted the first tree at the future park. The occasion marked the renaming of the Southern Gateway Park to Halperin Park, following the Halperin family’s $23 million donation to the project last year, the largest single gift in the history of Southern Dallas.
Construction began in 2024, and the park is expected to open in 2026. The two-story park will sit on nearly three acres and span Interstate 35 between Lancaster and Ewing Avenues, beside the Dallas Zoo.
“When you see the vistas and the views, it’s a lot of pride,” said April Allen, president and CEO of Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation, the organization that will operate the park, per NBC.
“Pride in what we’re doing, pride in Oak Cliff, and pride in what our community can do when we come together.”
Dave Halperin hopes the ambitious project will become a focal point for the city, not just the immediate surrounding neighborhoods.
“Whether you’re from North Dallas, South Dallas, East Dallas, West Dallas, I want this to be a good congregation point right here,” Halperin said.
Phase one of the project will see the construction of a children’s play area, an elevated pathway and bridge, an indoor building, and an amphitheater. The first phase is expected to open in March 2026.
The second stage of the project remains in the planning stages, but is expected to include the addition of decking between Lancaster and Marsalis Avenues and another two acres of park space that will provide direct access to the Dallas Zoo.