Walne Park was officially dedicated Thursday before a big crowd. Photo by Carol Toler.
The Dallas Park and Recreation Department officially unveiled new signage at Walne Park Thursday in honor of Joan and Alan Walne, longtime Lake Highlands neighbors and dedicated community advocates. The area was established in 1961 as Skyline Park, then later changed to Lake Highlands North Park.
The name change request was made in September by a coalition of community members led by District 10 Council member Kathy Stewart and D10 Park Board member Scott Goldstein. The vote was unanimous.
“The Walne family has shown what it truly means to serve through their commitment, leadership and unwavering belief in this community,” said Stewart. “They have helped shape not just this neighborhood, but the very spirit of this community and of this city. This family has given their time, their energy, and their hearts, quietly and consistently, with a deep sense of responsibility to others. We don’t often see this sense of responsibility in today’s world, but the Walne family understands that neighborhoods and our city rely on people like them to assume responsibility for present and future needs.”
“What really sets Joan and Alan apart is that they do it all with humility,” said Goldstein. “They always show up. They’re still coming to city hall and park board meetings and District 10 community meetings and board meetings for organizations where they serve. They build things that last.”
Former mayor Mike Rawlings, who served on the park board with Joan and crafted a letter with former mayor Tom Leppert to nominate the Walne Family for the honor, agreed.
“I think the city somehow made a huge mistake by not having Alan Walne as mayor of this city,” Rawlings said. “His wisdom and his understanding of what Dallas is all about and what he has meant to this city is remarkable. Look, you did all these things, but it’s not the fact that you did it. It’s how you did it. Your understanding of the importance of family is so important for all of us. You understood that the city is just a big family, and you treat everybody the same. I don’t know of a couple in the city of Dallas who has done more, so I am hereby naming you The GOAT Couple (greatest of all time).”
“Today was never about us,” said Joan. “Today was about our love for the community, our church, our school, our city and a heart to serve where the good Lord placed us. Our family growing up — and even to this day — has a recurring theme. It was a really significant quote from Alan — Step Up to the Plate.”
To prove it, she produced a long-kept high school paper of son Robert’s and a senior essay of daughter Sarah’s with the same theme.
“Having grown up here, I never envisioned anything like this,” said Alan Walne. “It really did start with mom and dad, Francis and Herb. Dad started his business down here at Northwest Highway and Easton with a Humble station, and he taught and showed me that you give back to the community. So, when someone asked, I said yes.”
Alan was a strong advocate for the renovation of local recreation centers and of the Cotton Bowl in anticipation of the 1994 World Cup while serving on the park board. He continued his support of parks during his tenure on the Dallas City Council and as chairman of the board of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society. The Exchange Club of Lake Highlands entered him into their Book of Names — the club’s highest honor — and he served as board chair of the State Fair of Texas, board member of Trinity Commons, member of the City of Dallas Economic Development Commission, board member of Methodist Hospital and president of the Wildcat Club.
Joan served as president and vice-president of the park board, where she played a pivotal role in adoption of the department’s first long-range comprehensive plan — the Renaissance Plan —lauded by the National Recreation and Park Association. Joan was also board chair at the Dallas Zoological Society, board member at Bonton Farms, president of Lake Highlands Women’s League, board member at Trust for Public Land, board chair for Kershaw’s Challenge, president of Wildcat Club and PTA president at multiple schools. She’s been active in the Children’s Medical Center Auxiliary, Junior League of Dallas, Dallas Arboretum, Parkland Hospital, Friends of Fair Park, Equest Auxiliary and White Rock Lake Conservancy. Advocate Magazine was honored to include her in our Fierce Females of 2022.
The Spirit of the Centennial honorees earned the Distinguished Wildcat Award from the Lake Highlands High School Alumni Association last year.
Blogger CAROL TOLER and her husband, Toby, are the parents of four LHHS graduates. She has an MBA from SMU and is the proud recipient of the Exchange Club of LH’s Unsung Hero Award and Councilman McGough’s Blake Anderson Public Service Award. She received LHHS PTA’s Extended Service Award, FMJH PTA’s Charger Award and a Life Membership from the LHFC PTA. She has moderated candidate debates for Dallas Mayor, Dallas City Council and RISD Trustee races and taught seminars on garnering publicity for nonprofits. She completed training with Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation and Inside RISD, and she’s a sustaining member of LH Women’s League. She has served on the boards of After8 to Educate, Dallas Free Press, Healing Hands Ministries and Camp Sweeney and chaired fundraisers for multiple Dallas nonprofits. Email ctoler@advocatemag.com.