Dallas’ planned Harold Simmons Park received a $1 million boost this week when U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey presented a federal Community Project Funding check to the project during a press conference at the Trinity Park Conservancy.
The funding will support construction of a 130-foot-long land bridge over Beckley Avenue, creating a major park connector. The land bridge will connect Harold Simmons Park’s West Overlook with the park’s nature preserve.
“The Trinity River has long divided the city of Dallas, but Harold Simmons Park is going to bring Dallas together,” Veasey, who represents District 33 in the U.S. House, said in a statement.
Left to right: Representative Anchía, Senator West, Congressman Veasey, and Tony Moore ,CEO, Trinity Park Conservancy [Photo: Trinity Park Conservancy]
In December, Dallas Innovates offered a preview look of what Harold Simmons Park will offer to the city—from a stunning playground with towers and tube slides to a prairie walk, a two-acre bike and skate park, overlooks with views of the greenway and the city skyline, and more.
Encompassing more than 250 acres, the park is centrally located to connect West Dallas, Oak Cliff, and downtown Dallas across the Trinity River. It will draw Dallas residents to gather and enjoy the river, walking, biking, picnics, and more while creating momentum for the equitable development of areas along the Trinity River, the conservancy said.
State Sen. Royce West and State Rep. Rafael Anchía also attended the check presentation.
The Federal Community Project Funding received bipartisan support and approval in Congress. This funding aims to bolster vital environmental sustainability, connectivity, and economic opportunities for West Dallas communities, the conservancy said.
Representative Anchia, Marguerite Hoffman, Vice Chair of the Trinity Park Conservancy Board, and Tony Moore, CEO of the Trinity Park Conservancy [Photo: Trinity Park Conservancy]
Connecting communities with nature
The land bridge over Beckley will seamlessly connect community neighborhoods and their residents to established centers of Dallas via existing trails and roadways.
“We’re attacking this particular project by making certain that the necessary resources are put in place philanthropically, and that we have collaboration between the federal, state, and local governments,” West said.
Anchia said the park will have a lasting community impact.
“Harold Simmons Park will be an amenity that all people will enjoy for generations,” he said.
As one of the first major recreation projects within the Trinity River Corridor Plan, Harold Simmons Park seeks to improve residents’ quality of life with enhanced outdoor Dallas experiences.
“This pivotal moment showcases how different departments of government can work together to advance North Texas communities forward for a greener and more vibrant future,” Trinity Park Conservancy CEO Tony Moore said in a statement.
The park has iconic views and a wide array of activity spaces, amenities, and programming, and it will be the premiere park of Dallas situated along the river, framed by the Ronald Kirk Bridge to the North and the Margaret McDermott Bridge to the South.
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R E A D N E X T
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The Trinity Park Conservancy unveiled plans last week for the $325 million Harold Simmons Park—a 250-acre park along a stretch of the Trinity River close to downtown. Named after the late billionaire businessman whose wife, Annette Simmons, donated $50 million for the park in 2016—it will be located between the Margaret McDermott Bridge and Ronald Kirk Bridge just west of downtown Dallas.
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For decades, Dallas has dreamed of a transformational park along the Trinity River near downtown Dallas. This week, the Trinity Park Conservancy announced that a groundbreaking will finally happen in 2024. The 250-acre Harold Simmons Park will offer community-uniting nature, a stunning playground with towers and tube slides, a prairie walk, a two-acre bike and skate park, overlooks with views of the greenway and the city skyline, and more.
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