A long-awaited park project in Oak Cliff is opening next month over Interstate 35 East between South Ewing and South Marsalis Avenues in Dallas.
Halperin Park, located near the Dallas Zoo, will officially open May 9. It represents years of community input by residents who wanted to reconnect neighborhoods once divided by highway construction in the 1950s.
“It has always been about how we support, amplify, and lift up our community,” April Allen, president and CEO of Halperin Park, said. “It’s been started by community members, and it’s important to us to remain community-centered.”
The idea first emerged in 2016, when neighbors from both sides of the freeway began asking whether a bridge park, like Klyde Warren Park in Downtown Dallas, could be built to link their communities. What followed was years of planning and collaboration, much of it driven by Oak Cliff residents themselves.
Allen, who has lived in Oak Cliff for more than 20 years, said that local input has shaped every stage of the project, from design to programming. She said they spent a year creating what they call a “community-first plan” to ensure Halperin Park is inclusive, functional, welcoming, and reflective of the neighborhoods surrounding it.
“We call it a park with a purpose,” she said. “It is so much more than just a green space; it’s about how we invest in the community.”
Opening day will feature live performances from local artists, family-friendly activities, workshops, and cultural programming that highlights the diversity of Oak Cliff. The park itself features nature-inspired playgrounds, splash areas for kids, a bandshell for concerts and live performances, spaces for health and fitness, and a multi-purpose building for dining and community events.
Economic impact
Rendering of Halperin ParkCourtesy of Halperin Park
Beyond recreation, the park is expected to bring significant economic investment to southern Dallas, with projections estimating up to $1 billion in impact over the next five years. It’s also expected to see about two million visitors a year.
With its opening just weeks away, residents and leaders alike see the park as both a symbol of progress and a reflection of Oak Cliff’s collective vision.
“We’re excited to welcome everyone,” Allen said. “This belongs to the community.”
For those visiting Halperin Park, there are multiple transportation options. Visitors can either take the DART Red Line to the Dallas Zoo Station, if nearby, walk to the park, or park their vehicle at the Zoo’s surface parking lot or its new parking garage across the street from the DART station.
