Halperin Park, the five-acre deck park slowly taking shape over I-35E in Oak Cliff, is now aiming for a late-spring 2026 debut after Dallas officials agreed to plug its final funding hole. The first phase is set to roll out a pavilion, amphitheater, children's playground, interactive water features and an elevated promenade with clear sightlines into the Dallas Zoo.
On Jan. 28, the Dallas City Council signed off on up to $8 million in city funding to finish the Phase I plaza. That package includes roughly $6,964,198 from the Oak Cliff Gateway TIF District and about $1,035,802 from a 2012 general-obligation bond allocation, according to the City of Dallas. City legislation notes that Phase I is already about 80 to 85 percent complete and is projected to reach substantial completion in spring 2026. Officials say the money will be released once the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation certifies that required project elements are substantially finished.
Phase One Takes Shape Above I-35
Phase One, the section between Ewing and Lancaster avenues, is planned to feature an open lawn, a performance pavilion and a multi-use event room, along with a children's play zone and interactive fountains, as reported by CultureMap Dallas and outlined on the park's website. Renderings show a two-story promenade and an upper-level walkway offering views into the zoo and over the freeway. Organizers describe the plaza as a neighborhood-style town square, built to host markets, concerts and a steady stream of local programming.
Funding, Naming and Who Built the Deck
A $23 million contribution from the Halperin Foundation in 2024 locked in the park's name and helped trigger additional private grants, according to The Dallas Morning News. The deck's superstructure was built as part of the state's I-35 reconstruction and was backed by regional transportation funding managed through the North Central Texas Council of Governments, city records show. Project leaders say bridge financing has kept construction moving while fundraisers close the last gap needed to finish Phase I.
Projected Economic Lift
An economic-impact analysis by the University of North Texas at Dallas estimated the Phase I plaza could generate nearly $1 billion in economic activity in its first five years and pull in about 2 million visitors annually, as reported by FOX 4. The study also forecast strong retail sales and new property tax value in the surrounding blocks, figures that city leaders have leaned on in recent funding arguments.
Neighbors Weigh the Tradeoffs
Reactions in the neighborhood are split. Many west-side residents and business owners are eager for the new public space, while some east-side neighbors and community advocates are sounding alarms about rising property values and potential displacement. Reporting from Lab Report Dallas and the Dallas Observer has followed those concerns alongside organizers' assurances about community-first programming and local hiring.
What To Expect On Opening Day
Organizers say the park will open with staff and programming in place, including a 24-hour security presence, pedestrian walkways and well-lit crossings. Parking is expected on the east side near the Dallas Zoo, with more options in the works, per CultureMap Dallas. The Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation has also previewed an inaugural Walk of Fame and recurring community events designed to spotlight Oak Cliff history and small businesses.
With crews now focused on hardscape and utility work, organizers are eyeing a ribbon-cutting in late spring 2026 and hope to sync early programming with major summer events, though no firm opening date has been set. City officials and park leaders say the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation will take over day-to-day operations once construction winds down, positioning the plaza as a new anchor for public life in Oak Cliff.
