A private-public alliance created to address the unfulfilled needs of Dallas parks
Stopping the Downward Spiral
In 1985, Dallas had the distinction of being one of the top ten park systems in the United States. That same year, the National Recreation and Park Association recognized Dallas' park system as the most outstanding in the nation. Cities around the United States sent park officials to Dallas to learn how they could improve their park systems.
City monies pay for the upkeep of Dallas' 17 urban lakes, 146 miles of trails and more than 300 neighborhood, community, metropolitan and regional parks covering over 33 square miles. In addition to providing landscape maintenance for these 33 square miles, the Dallas Park Department is responsible for maintaining 45 recreation centers, six golf courses, 22 community pools, four spray grounds, five full-service tennis centers, 267 playgrounds, 254 outdoor tennis courts, 154 outdoor basketball courts, 252 athletic fields, five historic cemeteries, Fair Park, the Dallas Aquarium and the Dallas Zoo. Dallas has an extensive park system in terms of its physical size and diversity. The department is significantly challenged to meet the growing social, environmental, recreational and leisure needs of all our residents, young and old, to achieve the objectives of a premier system. Our recent 2006 bond program will mean $340 million towards our park system but only a fraction of that amount will be used to maintain and improve what is currently in the parks portfolio.
Over the years, the city's priorities have evolved. Taxes and bond money were channeled in other directions; private funding and grants became more scarce. Unfortunately, Dallas' parks have fallen behind national recreation trends as existing parks have aged. While most large cities budget over $75 per citizen annually on parks, Dallas spending has declined to $47 per citizen. Cities with top tier park systems budget in excess of $100 per citizen. Today's operating budget is not adequate. Dallas parks are clearly under-funded and a new source of supplemental funding is badly needed.
Building for the Future
Based on the Dallas Park Board's Renaissance Plan, a long-range plan completed in 2002, more than $1.8 billion is needed over the next 20 years for Dallas parks to regain the quality and level of service last experienced in 1985 and to meet future needs. This amount well exceeds the park department's projected funding from taxes and bond issues. While the city has made monetary commitments to fund many immediate park needs, a revival is needed to build facilities that meet current and future recreational expectations including skate parks, walking trails and linear parks where people can travel from one community to another along trails and parkways. A successful revival will:
We have learned, park stewardship will bring community stewardship.
Private Sector Funding
A healthy parks system makes a substantial contribution to the quality of life in Dallas. Donations from $5 to more than $1 million will make a difference in the work the Dallas Parks Foundation is able to accomplish in enhancing existing parks and purchasing additional park land necessary to keep pace with the city's burgeoning population. Each gift, whether from an individual, a foundation, an association or corporation, is deeply appreciated.
Donor Appreciation
The Dallas Parks Foundation will properly recognize donors whose generosity enables the Foundation to make a lasting contribution to the city of Dallas and its parks system. We extend our sincere appreciation to each individual family, neighborhood association, foundation, corporation or other entity that makes a contribution to improving the quality of life for the residents of Dallas.
