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Spotlight on Park Activities and Improvements in D12
District 12 is lucky to have an outstanding representative on the Park and Recreation board, Lane Conner. Serving since 2019, Lane stepped up to the challenge to refresh and update parks and expand our park system in Far North Dallas. It has been a pleasure to work with him.
Land in District 12 is scarce and expensive. We've been looking at innovative ways to create additional park space with minimal costs. For Parkhill dog park, we didn't purchase land, we entered into an agreement with Richardson ISD. There is another piece of land owned by the fire department on Frankford Road that has struggled with homeless encampments. We are looking at that area for development of a parks space. We will have a community meeting after we understand the allowable scope given issues with proximity to the creek.
The Bent Tree Swim Club has been identified as a community asset of interest to the City of Dallas. We would love your input on this property. Please fill out the survey to let us know your interest in seeing this property incorporated into Bent Tree Meadow park in the City of Dallas park system.
Here's an update on more parks:
Parkhill Dog Park - the water fountain for people and pets is being installed now and the other updates like fencing, benches, trash containers and dog stations, have been completed. Watch for the ribbon cutting announcement coming soon!
NEW MAPLESHADE PARK - we're so excited to have purchased this land that will be part of the connection between the Preston Ridge Trail and the Timberglen Trail. One day, it will become a tiny amphitheater for local entertainment and youth productions.
Twin Lakes - new benches, trash containers, and water fountains are coming. The area has been evaluated for dredging and it is needed. Funding resources are being evaluated.
Cotton Belt Trail - the Preston Green park will see the beginning of construction for the hike and bike trail soon. The consultant selected to revamp the park has withdrawn from the project and a new consultant is being selected. Community meetings will resume once the new consultant is on board. There is an effort to acquire a property to serve as a Far North Dallas trailhead for cyclists and walkers. DART has informed the city that they will not live up to their original promise to have 16' of trail at Davenport and will instead provide only 8' of hike and bike easement at this section.
Campbell Green - plans to renovate the recreation center continue. Based on your prior feedback, there are concept plans for phase one that include expanding community meeting space, creating a new front entry, expanding the exercise room, more classroom space for youth programming, remodel of the bathrooms, and providing a kitchenette space so events with food could be hosted. An indoor pool will be considered for phase two and would be part of a future bond proposition. We'll be scheduling a community meeting to get more feedback on the concept plans and make adjustments based on input received.
Preston Ridge Trail Extension - the petition and application to change the name to Marni Kaner Trail have been submitted. This item will be on the agenda for a park board committee coming soon. We will publicize the link to sign up to speak about the item. More than 2,000 names were submitted on the petition! We are working with several groups to find a way to link the trail with the Cotton Belt Trail.
Barry Barker Park - Sadly, someone set fire to the playground. The damage was assessed and we are awaiting cost estimates for repair/replacement. We're also looking at how to add additional lighting for safety.
Rosemeade Park - this undeveloped land continues to attract homeless encampments. The parks department is regularly cleaning out the items left in the park and removing those who are homeless by offering shelter and support, but letting them know camping is not allowed. Long-term strategies for activating the park are being evaluated. Short-term, the park director suggests a broad removal of underbrush to reduce encampments. The city arborist is evaluating the plan.
Timberglen - a grant has been submitted for $3.5 million to start phase one of the connection between the Timberglen trail and the Preston Ridge Trail. The first part includes the intersection at Midway and Timberglen with installing a new traffic signal and widening the sidewalk by removing signal equipment, creating a crosswalk for Midway, and starting the trail headed north.
Frankford Park - work continues to create access from the east and evaluation of the playground for replacement with shade sails added.
And there is MORE! Remaining projects focus on maintenance or have a longer timeline. There are a lot of opportunities to improve our area. Would you like to help? Contact Lane to be part of a group that supports your local park, called a Friends group. Lane.Conner@Dallas.gov.
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