Artist rendering of Halperin Park | Image by Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation/news release
The Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation, in collaboration with Dallas Park and Recreation, has announced the opening date for Halperin Park. This five-acre bridge park spans Interstate 35E between Ewing and Marsalis avenues and is located next to the Dallas Zoo.
The official opening ceremony will be held Saturday, May 9, at 9 a.m. at the park’s 12th Street Promenade. It will launch a weekend-long celebration, presented by Amazon, featuring live performances by local musicians, dance troupes honoring Oak Cliff’s history, family activities including a children’s playground and splash area, story time, arts workshops, and special Mother’s Day events on Sunday, such as card-making and build-a-bouquet activities.
Food trucks with grab-and-go snacks and limited-edition “Picnic in the Park” baskets will also be available, along with yoga and fitness classes and Amazon giveaways of children’s books, home electronics, and gift cards.
April Allen, president and CEO of the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation, described the project as a long-awaited community achievement.
“What began in 2016 as a bold yet simple idea to build a literal and figurative bridge in the heart of Southern Dallas is now just weeks away from becoming a reality,” Allen said in a news release. “Our opening represents the collective vision and determination of countless supporters to build something that will transform our community and impact the lives of our neighbors for generations to come.”
The park is designed as a “park with a purpose” to honor the historic Oak Cliff community and serve as a regional destination. It physically reconnects neighborhoods that were divided in the 1950s by highway construction, restoring the street grid and creating a vibrant hub for residents and visitors.
Arun Agarwal, president of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board, called the park an exciting addition to the city’s landscape.
“Halperin Park is an exciting addition to the park landscape in Dallas. It is a wonderful example of the amazing things we can do in this city when government and private organizations work together for the greater good. I can’t wait to see Halperin Park become a favorite destination for both nearby residents and visitors,” Agarwal said.
Amazon is serving as the presenting sponsor of the opening weekend, providing financial support to the foundation and sponsoring giveaways.
“Halperin Park represents the kind of community-centered innovation that creates lasting impact,” said Vickie Yakunin, Amazon’s head of community affairs for Texas. “By providing a welcoming place for people to connect, play, and spend time outdoors, this project invests in the long-term vitality of Oak Cliff and the broader Dallas community.”
Once open, the park is expected to draw an estimated 2 million visitors annually and generate more than $1 billion in economic impact over its first five years.
Amenities will include a bandshell for concerts and other live events, an inclusive children’s playground, an outdoor classroom, a multi-purpose building for dining and community events, integrated history exhibits, a dedicated food truck area, interactive water features, native landscaping, and ample green space.
Together with the Dallas Zoo’s master plan, the combined investment in the area will exceed $250 million — the largest such commitment in Southern Dallas in decades.
More information about the park can be found on its website.