Oncor Electric Delivery is donating more than 110 acres of land for a new park in southeast Dallas. The site includes Parkdale Lake. It previously housed a power plant that was decommissioned in 2005.
"Parkdale Lake is going to be a new lake for our residents that I personally hope is going to have recreational offerings such as fishing for kids like mine," said Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson. "This donation is also going to provide us with the land that we need to help finish the Circuit Trial, which will help connect our communities and give our residents more space to walk, run and bike safely."
Elected officials from the surrounding neighborhoods praised the donation from Oncor.
"The acquisition of Parkdale Lake will advance not only recreation and quality of life assets to the residents that surround it, but also act as an engine and an anchor to economic growth in the surrounding area," said Council Member Adam Bazaldua.
Land on the site will play a role in the development of the Trinity Forest Spine Trail. The first phase of that project is already under construction. That phase will extend from just below the White Rock Lake spillway to Samuell Road. A second phase will extend to the Lawnview DART Station, with the southern phase running from Scyene Road to Pemberton Hill Road.
The Circuit Trail Conservancy has set up a website with more detailed information about the planned trails.
In addition to trails, city officials also hope to add some recreational features to the site.
"It's a great opportunity, because we can really develop it into one of our nicest parks in the southern sector. We want to try to keep it in a natural state," said Dallas Parks and Recreation Department Director John Jenkins. "With our partnership with CTC, the Circuit Trail Conservancy, they will pay for the trial. We really want to develop this where there's nice boat ramps - there's opportunities for canoeing kayaking, additional soft trails and amenities. A cost for a park like this to probably develop completely out over the next couple of years probably will run us north of about $20 million."
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