Dallas City Council speeds up South Dallas community park decision as funding deadline looms

On Wednesday, the Dallas City Council voted to take the reins on the South Dallas community park development agreement decision from its Park and Recreation Board, a move intended to speed up the decision and avoid losing $13 million in funds.

The decade-long wait for a community park located in the Fair Park grounds hit another snag last year after the city’s Park and Recreation Department took over Fair Park operations and its board questioned the development contract.

Fair Park First and Oak View Group previously managed Fair Park, but that agreement was terminated last year after an audit revealed that more than $5 million of donor funds were misallocated.

However, Fair Park First is still leading the fundraising, design and construction process for the community park, and the city must approve a development agreement with Fair Park First for progress on the park to continue.

In September, park board members urged for caution on the contract, citing the misallocated funds debacle, and Chair Arun Agarwal created a task force to make recommendations on the decision. 

In a subsequent Park and Recreation Board meeting, District 7 Council Member Adam Bazaldua spoke against any continued delay.

At a recent Dallas City Council meeting, dozens of residents, community leaders and elected officials spoke in favor of a speedy delivery of the promised park.

Further, a $13 million Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant could be lost if a decision is not made by March 10, according to city staff.

At the Wednesday meeting, the city council voted to “discharge” the park board of their responsibility to make a decision and instead moved the item to the Parks, Trails, and Environment Committee.

City council are set to discuss the agreement at a Feb. 12 special Parks, Trails, and Environment Committee meeting, with the goal of then approving the agreement at the Feb. 25 city council meeting.