The Arlington Parks and Recreation Department is rolling out the welcome mat for the groundbreaking of Al Rollins Park on June 28. Grab a spot at 3311 SW Green Oaks Blvd. next to the Southwest Branch Library, commence at 9 a.m., and park it right in the library lot before you join the festivities.
Arlington’s higher-ups and those-in-the-know consultants will be on hand to dole out their two cents, as will the Rollins clan, according to the Parks Department. Expect some light bites, and don't forget to smile for the camera after the ceremonial shovel hits the dirt. This park isn't just another patch of green. Expected to span 2.4 acres, it aims to quick to strike a chord with residents of all walks of life and subtly bolster environmental education. From pint-sized playgrounds, a sign that’s more pipe dream than plaque, to a trail barely over a tenth of a mile long – it's got it all, including a dry creek bed and a buffet for local pollinators.
In a classic nod to community spirit, the park design is a collective brainchild with local flavor – a dash of stakeholder meet-ups, a sprinkle of public surveys from fall 2022, and a generous season of input from AISD's second graders at Wood Elementary. "Naming this park in honor of Al Rollins is especially meaningful given his unique legacy in both public service and the private sector," said James Orloski, Director of Arlington Parks and Recreation. The tag Al Rollins Park was given the thumbs up by the Parks Board way back in March 2016, with City Council rubber-stamping it come May of the same year, as per the City of Arlington.
