The Dallas City Council on Wednesday, January 22, unanimously approved a construction contract award for Phase I of the Roland G. Parrish Park Improvements Project.
The project is located at 3800 E. Kiest Boulevard on approximately 25 acres, generally bounded by E. Kiest Boulevard, Cedar Crest Boulevard, Birdsong Drive, Packard Street, and Morrell Avenue.
The project, led by the Park and Recreation Department, will deliver a $10 million capital improvement investment, which includes design and demolition of the site, for an area of the city that has experienced historic underinvestment, a news release stated.
“This newly created park will deliver an element of renewal to the community,” said City Council Member Carolyn King Arnold (District 4), a member of the City’s Economic Development Committee. Council Member Arnold added, “It is a targeted investment in infrastructure and maximizes public benefit in a previously flood-prone residential area. I can’t wait to see it utilized by area residents and the community at large.”
Park amenities will include the addition of a football field with track, bleacher seating, sports lighting, basketball court, a 16’X30’ picnic pavilion, children’s playground, disc golf course, trail system, walkways, wide sidewalks with pedestrian lighting, park accessories such as picnic tables, litter receptacles, interpretive signage, park benches, drinking fountain, and a new parking lot.
The construction contract award’s funding includes $4 million from the city’s Equity Fund, $3 million from the city’s Infrastructure Investment Fund, and a $1 million donation from businessman Roland G. Parrish.
“I am proud my team collaborated across city departments over several years to be able now to start delivering this Project for the community,” said City Manager Kimberly Tolbert.
“I’m happy and proud that the Park and Recreation Board unanimously approved this construction contract award. When completed, this park will be a tremendous community asset and may also serve as a catalyst for continued investment in the area,” added Arun Agarwal, President of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board.
“Developing a significant park in Council District 4 is helping to right a historic wrong in that community. Phase I of Roland Parrish Park will be a beautiful park with a needed athletic field that the community can be proud of, and the good news is our investment doesn’t stop there. We have an additional $10 million from the 2024 Bond Program that will be invested into Phase II of the project, and we intend to begin planning work on that phase this Spring,” said John Jenkins, Director of Dallas Park and Recreation.
Phase I construction is estimated to begin in February 2025. Completion of Phase I construction is slated for December 2025.
