Dallas Park and Recreation Board Accepts Texas Parks and Wildlife $1.5 Million Grant to Support Major Improvements at Crawford Memorial Park in East Dallas
DALLAS - Exciting developments are on the horizon for Crawford Memorial Park, thanks to a $1.5 million Urban Recreation Grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) awarded to the City of Dallas. Today, the Dallas Park and Recreation Board voted to accept the funding to support the first phase of a comprehensive improvement project to enhance the park's offerings for the community.
"Crawford Memorial Park, designated as a City of Dallas 'Signature Park' features a number of environmental characteristics that distinguish it from other Dallas parks including 27.1 acres of Black Land Prairie, 49.6 acres of Post Oak Savannah, the 1.4 mile long Prairie Creek, and a large Austin chalk escarpment area with exposed outcroppings," said Dallas City Council Member Jaime Resendez of District 5, "This grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife will help provide these additional amenities that will not only serve the local community, but the city as a whole."
The total budget for the project is $7,632,933, which includes funding from the grant and the 2017 bond program.
Key improvements to the signature park are an all-abilities, inclusive playground, accessible picnic sites with shade structures, exercise complex, restrooms, outdoor furnishings, signage and parking lot resurfacing at Prairie Creek Drive. Earlier this year, public artwork was successfully installed in the park, further enhancing the park's natural beauty.
A 12-foot-wide, 0.95-mile hard-surface trail will connect the new amenities to existing pathways that feature two pedestrian bridges, one of which spans Elam Road.
Dallas Park and Recreation is leading the design and construction efforts. "We are thrilled to receive this grant. It will not be used to just fund a project. It's an investment in this park and our entire park system. Parks bring people from all walks of life and from all areas throughout the city to get fit, stay healthy, socialize, and relax," said John D. Jenkins, director, Dallas Park and Recreation Department. "Thanks to our city leaders, Dallas' park system will continue to give families throughout our communities access to more parks, trails, inclusive amenities, and recreational programs."
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