Visitors are raising concerns about parking and pedestrian access at Halperin Park, Dallas’ newest deck park that opened earlier this month in Oak Cliff near the Dallas Zoo.
The five-acre park, built over Interstate 35E between Ewing and Marsalis avenues, officially opened to the public on May 9, 2026, following a community parade and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Designed to reconnect neighborhoods long divided by highway construction in the 1950s, the $300 million project features green space, a treehouse-themed playground, pavilions, water features, and gathering areas aimed at boosting recreation and economic activity in southern Dallas.
However, early visitors have noted limited convenient parking directly at the park and challenges crossing the busy I-35E service road safely on foot. Many are directed to the nearby Dallas Zoo parking garage, which charges $14 for non-members, or encouraged to use DART’s Red Line to the Dallas Zoo station. City officials and park leaders say they are aware of the issues and are exploring long-term solutions, including future development that could add more parking options in the area.
The park represents Dallas’ second major deck park after Klyde Warren Park and is seen as a significant investment in southern Dallas. Phase one covers roughly 2.8 acres, with plans to expand. Community leaders hope it will attract millions of visitors annually and spur surrounding development, though some residents worry about rising property values and gentrification pressures.
No injuries have been reported related to access issues so far, but the pedestrian safety concerns on the service road remain a top complaint in early feedback.
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