Southern Gateway Park Receives $5 Million
Southern Gateway Park Receives $5 Million in Guaranteed Texas Parks and Wildlife Funding for Phase One Construction with Potential for Additional $15 Million for Second Phase of Landmark Bridge Park
STATE SENATOR ROYCE WEST, TEXAS HOUSE DELEGATION FROM DALLAS LED PUSH TO FUND SOUTHERN GATEWAY PARK
(DALLAS) – Oct. 5, 2023 – The Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation met with Texas legislators last week to thank them for their advocacy on behalf of Southern Gateway Park during this spring’s legislative session. Due to their efforts, Senator West was able to secure a $5 million grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife to help fund phase one of the park, which begins construction later this year. In addition, Senator West and Texas House members led by Rep. Rafael Anchía and Rep. Toni Rose, who serves on House Appropriations, were able to secure an additional $5 million in Texas Parks and Wildlife funding, as well as $10 million in potential funding through the Texas Department of Transportation, pending availability of qualified federal funds.
Their efforts were supported by other members of the Dallas delegation, including Rep. Carl Sherman, Rep. Yvonne Davis, Rep. Jessica González and Rep. Venton Jones, all of whom signed onto the House budget rider supporting this effort. The additional funding, if confirmed, will be used to construct the bridge infrastructure for the second phase of the park.
“We are so fortunate to have an incredible team of elected officials in Austin who understand how transformational Southern Gateway Park will be for our community and, more importantly, who are willing to go to bat for the resources needed to make this vision a reality,” said April Allen, president and chief executive officer of the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation. “This $5 million grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife will be key in completing phase one of the park, and the additional $15 million would be a significant stimulus for phase two construction.”
Senator West confirmed his commitment to the project, saying: “The Southern Gateway Deck Park will be a first-class recreational attraction and addition to the Southern Dallas landscape. The park looks to also spur area economic development while re-stitching a neighborhood that was divided by the construction of Interstate 35,” said Senator West. “I am appreciative of being able to work with the Legislature to secure $5 million in funding for this project through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, as part of the 2024-2025 budget process. Very few local projects receive a line-item appropriation in the budget such as what has been accomplished for the Southern Gateway Deck Park. This project represents what can be done when concerned community members with a clear vision for the future, unite and work toward a common goal.”
The bridge infrastructure for the first phase of Southern Gateway Park is complete, spanning Interstate I-35E between Ewing and Marsalis Avenues, directly adjacent to the Dallas Zoo. Construction of the park amenities on top of the deck will begin this Fall, with a ground “making” ceremony scheduled for October 26, 2023. Phase one of the park is slated to open in 2025 and will be a key catalyst for closing the opportunity gap that was created when the highway was originally built in the 1950s through the middle of Oak Cliff.
Rep. Toni Rose explained why this project is important to all of southern Dallas, saying, “The Southern Gateway Park represents a tremendous, long-anticipated investment in southern Dallas. A concept of this magnitude will spur greater future equity by reconnecting historic Oak Cliff with all of Oak Cliff, fuel economic development opportunities including new businesses and jobs, and preserves a nature-inspired vista that will benefit communities.”
Rep. Rafael Anchía, who authored the budget rider in the House, added: “Securing state funding for Southern Gateway Park was among my highest priorities this legislative session. This transformative investment is a milestone in Southern Dallas development. Beyond creating essential green space, it will also reunite Oak Cliff communities that have been divided by a highway for decades."
About Southern Gateway Park
Southern Gateway Park is a five-acre bridge park spanning Interstate 35E between Ewing and Marsalis Avenues, directly adjacent to the Dallas Zoo. This “park with a purpose” will transform the city’s southern sector and be a key catalyst for closing the opportunity gap that was created when the highway was originally built in the 1950s through the middle of Oak Cliff. Once open, the park will attract an estimated 2 million visitors annually and is predicted to generate more than $1 billion in economic impact in its first five years. In addition to native landscape and ample green space, park amenities will include: a stage and pavilion for concerts and live events, an inclusive children’s playground, outdoor classroom space, a multi-purpose building for dining and community events, integrated history exhibits, a dedicated food truck area, interactive water features, and so much more. Together with the Dallas Zoo’s Master Plan, the collective capital investment in this area will exceed $250 million, the largest investment in Southern Dallas’ history.
For more information, to donate, or to get involved, please visit www.southerngatewaypark. org.