Dallas-based NexPoint Philanthropies has committed $1,299,410 in funding to the Community Park at Fair Park, providing a one-to-one match via Fair Park First for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Recreation Grant previously awarded to the project.

NexPoint said its gift along with the TPW Recreation Grant brings a significant combined investment totaling nearly $2.6 million, ensuring that the project continues its momentum to deliver on a decades-long promise to bring a community green space to the residents of South Dallas surrounding Fair Park.

“Our commitment reflects our belief that Fair Park is not only vital to Dallas’s long-term prosperity, but also to the well-being of the communities it serves,” James Dondero, founder and director of NexPoint Philanthropies, said in a statement. “The Community Park is key to delivering lasting economic and social benefits to surrounding neighborhoods. We are proud to support its transformation and hope our gift inspires others to make bold investments to move Fair Park—and Dallas—forward.”

In December, The U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service announced it was making an $8.6 million grant to help fund Fair Park’s Community Park.

‘Hub of community life’

Rendering of Community Park Complex coming to Fair Park. [Image: Fair Park First and Studio Outside]

NexPoint said that the Community Park at Fair Park will feature a variety of amenities designed to enhance quality of life and foster community engagement, including walking and biking trails to promote health and wellness through outdoor activity, while children’s play areas will provide safe and engaging spaces for all ages.

The organization said that performance and activity spaces will serve as a platform for cultural programming and community gatherings, creating opportunities for connection and celebration. It said that native landscaping and gardens will showcase Texas flora, contributing to improved air quality and sustainability.

Also, NexPoint Philanthropies said the park will offer wellness and educational programming, providing opportunities for learning, fitness, and holistic health for residents and visitors alike.

Aerial rendering of Community Park complex coming to Fair Park. [Image: Fair Park First and Studio Outside]

“This park represents more than just a recreational space—it symbolizes the investment and commitment to the people of South Dallas,” Jason Brown, vice chair of the Fair Park First board of directors, said in a statement. “We look forward to seeing it become a hub of community life and a place of pride for generations to come.”

Reverend Dr. Todd Atkins of Salem Institutional Baptist Church called those who have helped with the vision for the park “heroes.”

“The term hero is often over- and underutilized,” Atkins said in a statement. “A hero isn’t someone who is superhuman or someone who comes and saves you but is someone who comes at the right moment and commits to walking with you. It has always been my desire to find heroes inside and outside South Dallas, to walk with this community to bring the vision of a Community Park to pass.”

“I’m grateful that heroes are continuing to show up not to save the community but to commit to walk alongside us and encourage us,” he added. “This park project has always been about more than just building something physical—it’s about building connections, resilience, and hope within the community.”

Rendering of Community Park complex coming to Fair Park. [Image: Fair Park First]

John Jenkins, director, Dallas Park and Recreation Board, said the park will have a positive effect on the area.

“This gift to the Fair Park Community Park is more than an investment in land—it’s an investment in lives,” Jenkins said. “It represents a powerful commitment to equity, restoration, and opportunity for Southern Dallas families. We’re proud to be part of a legacy that ensures every child, every elder, and every resident has a beautiful, safe, and inspiring place to gather, grow, and thrive.”

Timeline and funding

The Community Park groundbreaking is scheduled for late summer 2026 after the FIFA Fanfest, and completion is anticipated for early fall 2027. NexPoint said that the park is on track to open to the public prior to the start of the State Fair of Texas.

To fully realize this vision, however, more funding is needed.

With NexPoint’s matching gift securing the Texas Parks and Wildlife grant, the remaining fundraising goal stands at roughly $8.77 million, NexPoint said.

“We’re grateful for this generous gift, which brings us one step closer to creating a vibrant and thriving space for the entire community to enjoy. Parks are more than green spaces—they are places where memories are made, connections are fostered, and well-being is nurtured,” Alyssa Arnold, acting CEO of Fair Park First, said in a statement.

Heather Stevens, president and CEO of Rise360, praised NexPoint’s contribution.

“This incredible gift from NexPoint Philanthropies is a testament to the power of community and shared vision. The future park will be a place of connection, healing, and joy—a true reflection of what’s possible when people come together to invest in the well-being of others,” Stevens said.

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