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Media contact:
Juliette Coulter | The Coulter Group | 214.394.5532 | juliette@coultergroup.com
Andrea Hawkins | Dallas Park and Recreation | 817.994.2498 (Voice and Text)
Official opening activities is 12:30 pm Saturday, October 16
This family-friendly outdoor space opens this weekend through November 14 at the northwest corner of Forest Lane and Audelia Road in northeast Dallas (9759 Forest Lane, Dallas 75243).
The Park at Forest-Audelia is the city's newest pop-up park and features sport courts, wireless internet, flexible lawn space, shade, seating, lush landscaping, a community garden, children’s play area, and more. Weekends are packed with entertainment, arts activities, exercise classes, health and library programs, theater workshops, A muralized, shaded stage supports a full-sized band or a dance group and also serves as an outdoor classroom. Get the full calendar of events at https://www.betterblock.org/forestaudelia.
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“Dallas is a city of possibilities and opportunities,” said Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson. “The pop-up park at Forest-Audelia embodies that unique spirit. I am grateful to the Better Block Foundation and to our Park and Recreation Department for taking on this community-centric, public safety-focused, and equity-oriented initiative. We must bring more parks and public spaces to our neighborhoods, and I look forward to working closely with our Park Board President Arun Agarwal and our private partners to achieve that goal. Together, we can build a safer and more family-friendly Dallas.”
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Through an initiative with Project Safe Neighborhood and the Dallas Park and Recreation Department, the Better Block Foundation and community leaders in the Forest-Audelia neighborhood are working to show that crime can be addressed and community built through the creation of beautiful and inviting public space. As the City of Dallas Parks Department recently bought the piece of property where the demonstration will be held, Better Block will showcase ideas that the community can give feedback on, thus influencing the long-term development of the property and improve the quality of life for all neighbors at Forest Audelia.
Kristin Leiber, Better Block senior project manager, said, “We have worked with the community to see what resources and elements they would like to see in the park, and their top choices were green space, resources and activities, and a kids’ play area. Along with the City of Dallas Parks Department, we are excited to be working on a design that meets the city’s and community’s needs. We have 30 days of programming from nonprofit partners and small businesses that will activate the space regularly and with purpose, especially on the weekends.”
Dallas Councilmember Adam McGough of District 10 said, “The persistence and resilience of so many made possible the launch of this temporary-park installation. This important step marks another key milestone on the journey toward making Forest-Audelia a safer, more vibrant place at which neighbors and families may live, work and gather. I’m thankful for the work of the Better Block Foundation and so many other community partners who are bringing to life the vision for a better future at this site. I’m eager to witness community members enjoying this temporary space and to listen to neighbors’ feedback to ensure the new, permanent space to come proves a longstanding community asset.”
Arun Agarwal, Dallas Park and Recreation Board president, said, “We know parks transform the lives of people and communities with their beauty, amenities and peaceful escapes from the bustle of daily living. We are fortunate to have the mayor and city council who are so supportive of Dallas parks. The Park at Forest-Audelia is transforming this community by providing a lush and vibrant place for everyone to enjoy. Dallas Park and Recreation’s partnership with the Better Block Foundation has created the perfect place for families to enjoy. Together, Dallas Park and Recreation and the Better Block Foundation are committed to enhancing our communities through public spaces such as The Park at Forest-Audelia.”
Leiber added, “The park is a tool, but the community engagement and activation are the heart of any grassroots project in a neighborhood. Help us build this park, and then join us at the many events.”
About the Better Block Foundation:
Better Block Foundation is an urban design nonprofit that educates, equips, and empowers communities and their leaders to reshape and reactivate built environments to promote the growth of healthy and vibrant neighborhoods. Find out more by visiting betterblock.org.
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