The Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation, in partnership with Dallas Park and Recreation, will open Halperin Park at a weekend celebration in May. The transformational “park with a purpose” straddles I-35E next to the Dallas Zoo. It’s designed to honor the historic Oak Cliff community and “become a true destination for the region,” the organizations said.

The official opening ceremony is set for Saturday, May 9 at 9 a.m. at the park’s 12th Street Promenade, kicking off two days of festivities sponsored by Amazon. The event will include live performances from local musicians and dance troupes, a children’s area with a playground, splash pad, story time, and art workshops, food trucks, fitness classes, and Amazon giveaways.

“What began in 2016 as a bold yet simple idea to build a literal and figurative bridge in the heart of Southern Dallas is now just weeks away from becoming a reality,” April Allen, president and CEO of the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation, said in a statement. “Our opening represents the collective vision and determination of countless supporters to build something that will transform our community and impact the lives of our neighbors for generations to come.”

Halperin Park rendering (south) [Image via Hudson Lake]

Five-acre deck park spans I-35E

Halperin Park is a five-acre bridge park spanning Interstate I-35E between Ewing and Marsalis Avenues within a stroll of the Dallas Zoo. The park is a milestone in urban renewal, the organizations said, physically re-connecting neighborhoods that were severed in the 1950s by highway construction. By bridging the I-35E divide, the park restores the street grid and creates a vibrant space for both residents and visitors.

Arun Agarwal, president of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board, called Halperin Park “an exciting addition to the park landscape in Dallas.”

“It’s a wonderful example of the amazing things we can do in in this city when government and private organizations work together for the greater good.” he added in a statment. “I can’t wait to see Halperin Park become a favorite destination for both nearby residents and visitors.”

Amazon is sponsoring the park’s opening weekend party, providing both financial support to the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation and a variety of giveaways for visitors.

“Halperin Park represents the kind of community-centered innovation that creates lasting impact,” said Vickie Yakunin, Amazon’s head of community affairs for Texas. “By providing a welcoming place for people to connect, play, and spend time outdoors, this project invests in the long-term vitality of Oak Cliff and the broader Dallas community.”

You can see an early preview of the park’s “wow factor” in Dallas Innovates’ 2021 story here.

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