The City of Dallas has opened its third park around downtown. Carpenter Park reopened Tuesday morning.
The park first opened in 1981. The $20.1 million expansion includes a basketball court, gardens, walking paths, public art and interactive fountain.
"Dallas made a plan and then did it. Other cities are not getting it together nearly as well as Dallas has," says Mary Margaret Jones, chief executive officer of the construction company, Hargreaves Jones.
"This is the best investment we could have made, really," says Dallas Park Board President Arun Agarwal. "Our study a few years back showed every dollar we spend on parks gives seven dollars' return to the city in investment."
Agarwal says this project expanded the park and simplified streets beneath Central Expressway, compared to Klyde Warren Park, which was built above Woodall Rodgers Freeway. He says he expects new development near Carpenter Park, similar to growth around Klyde Warren Park
Mayor Eric Johnson says additional activities now available will spark more interest than the previous park.
"It was a place cars whizzed by. It was a place that existed in our city but, frankly, didn't excite," he says. "It became a forgotten place in our city."
Johnson says the rebuilt park will also serve as a connection between Downtown Dallas and Deep Ellum. He says Carpenter Park will provide recreational space and bring families back to the city center.
"These aren't, despite what some might say, vanity projects," he says. "They're critical infrastructure in any modern and equitable city."
Dallas Parks and Recreation provided $15.4 million for the project through the 2017 bond; private donors provided $4.7 million.
A series of events is planned this week to celebrate the park's opening:
Tuesday, May 3, 7pm - Let's Salsa! Dance Class
Wednesday, May 4, 8:15pm - Discover Downtown Movie Series: "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
Thursday, May 5, 7:30pm - Yoga-Rita Night
Friday, May 6, 7:30pm - Music on the Mound
Saturday, May 7, 10am - 6pm - Carpenter Park BESTival!
This is the third of four parks planned downtown. Harwood Park, about a quarter mile away along Jackson St. between Harwood St. and S. Pearl Expy, is expected to open in Spring 2023.
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