Big news for the residents of Dallas: A unanimous City Council vote has just greenlit the construction of Phase I for the much-anticipated Roland G. Parrish Park, located at 3800 E. Kiest Boulevard. The project covers 25 acres, enclosed by landmarks like E. Kiest Boulevard and Cedar Crest Boulevard, and is designed to lift a neighborhood long faced with neglect.

The city is forking over $10 million for park improvements involving demolition and design works. "This newly created park will deliver an element of renewal to the community," Council Member Carolyn King Arnold of District 4, also on the Economic Development Committee, stated, as per the City of Dallas press release. Arnold is eager for locals to dive into the amenities like a football field, sports lighting, and playground in the pipeline.

Financially, the city's Equity Fund contributes $4 million, the Infrastructure Investment Fund contributes $3 million, and Roland G. Parrish, the park's namesake and local businessman, contributes a cool million. City Manager Kimberly Tolbert expressed pride in the cross-department collaboration that made the project's beginning possible, as stated in the announcement.

The Park and Recreation Board, led by President Arun Agarwal, is enthusiastic about the park's impact, calling it a potential catalyst for more investment in the neighborhood. Meanwhile, Dallas Park and Recreation Director John Jenkins hinted at an equally robust Phase II, courtesy of $10 million from the 2024 Bond Program. Visioning sessions will begin this Spring, and construction will begin next month, with a target completion date in December 2025.