Planners from the Trinity Park Conservancy on Friday released a mock-up of much of the long-planned Dallas Trinity River Park, as well as a promotional video for a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for 2024.
NBC5 first reported in June that the park would not be built between the downtown levees, as had been planned since 1998, when voters first approved the park.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the spillway, never supported building a park within the levee, which was approved by Dallas voters in 1998.
The latest plan for Harold Simmons Park, named after the family that donated $50 million, would build a series of parks outside the levee adjacent to the river, with access to green space and trails built between the levees. It is something that makes it possible.
The Trinity River Conservancy has released a promotional video announcing the start of construction on the Dallas Trinity River Park, scheduled for 2024.
The nonprofit Trinity Park Conservancy purchased land in an old industrial area for a park outside the levee.
“This is about making sure we have the right real estate to make sure that we have the parks that Dallas deserves and that this is a Tier 1 park. So where we couldn't put bricks and mortar, the city We were fortunate to be able to find an industrial site right next to the area that provided us with the park site,” said Trinity Conservancy CEO Tony Moore.
The model for the largest 22-acre park segment is located along Commerce Street near Beckley, overlooking the existing Trinity River. The park will reuse some of the old steel company buildings.
The conservancy plans to announce details of the park's amenities and a 2024 groundbreaking date on Monday.
“This park has been overdue for quite some time. I can say that the park we have today is a much better park than what we originally proposed,” Moore said.
With additional equipment and additional real estate costs, the park's cost is currently estimated at $325 million. The land between the levees was already publicly owned.
“This is going to be transformational for Dallas,” Moore said.
Large new apartment buildings are already being built in the surrounding area.
Abby Rissmiller, a new tenant in one of those buildings, said Friday she looked at the park plan and said it's not what was planned within the levee and she's open to changes.
“I think this is acceptable, yes. I'm really looking forward to it. I've always wondered what I could do with that land over there,” she said.
Some companies in the industrial zone have already withdrawn. But some other tenants, who did not want to speak on TV, are still open and said they think they could still stay for many years.
“We're working with the community and the landowners, and we've been fortunate to get to a point where we have full control of the land. But it's an ongoing dialogue with the community,” Moore said.
The Trinity Park Conservancy will be tasked with managing the new park, similar to the arrangement with Klyde Warren Park for the Woodall Rogers Freeway, which is operated by a nonprofit foundation.
Moore said discussions continue with the city of Dallas about a funding arrangement for what would become city property.
Dallas City Councilman Omar Narvaez, who represents the West Dallas area of the proposed park, said he supports the project after seeing the plans.
Narvaaz said numerous community meetings were held to solicit input during the park planning process.
The 1998 Trinity River Plan approved by voters included a toll road, but the road was abolished by the Dallas City Council in 2017.
