Dallas’s Old City Park has been a city staple since 1876. The Parks and Recreation Department said it’s due for some restoration.
Old City Park in Dallas is appropriately named, given that it’s the oldest park in the city and was first purchased in 1876. Spanning over 20 acres, the public space, located near The Cedars, houses numerous Victorian and pioneer houses, making it a unique destination for residents and visitors alike. It was managed by the Dallas County Heritage Society beginning in 1967, and was called the Dallas Heritage Village for several decades to follow.
In 2024, the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department took over management from the Dallas County Heritage Society after the latter’s contract ended. When that happened, preventative upkeep seemingly fell by the wayside. Eric Hall lives near Old City Park, and he recently spoke with WFAA about what’s been going on there over the last two years. Hall said, “The buildings are all closed, so no one goes in them. So, no one knows what’s going on inside a building,” which could be considered a safety concern.
He added that many of the historic homes have been covered, “and now you can see that the covers have rotted away on the roof. I can see how it’s being ignored. It’s real depressing.” It’s especially sad for Hall, a history fanatic, because, “It’s a lot of Dallas history in one place and it’s also a point of pride,” that should be treated with more care.
As Hall described Old City Park to the news outlet, “It’s a wonderful assortment and showcase of our heritage, our cultures, artistic building styles, architecture, it goes on and on. So living this close to the park has always been one of my favorite things about living in The Cedars.”
He’s been hoping that the Parks and Recreation Department would step in to perform necessary repairs and maintenance, and as of Monday, he’s gotten his wish.
The Dallas Parks and Recreation Department has said it will restore the historic park
Keshia Randle, the Assistant Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, told WFAA, “We want to really make sure that we are continuing with the historic traditions — and making sure that we’re taking care of the properties that we have on site.” As such, the city of Dallas has chosen to invest $2.7 million into Old City Park to help restore it to its former glory.
Randle said, “Celebrating our 150 years this year we are super excited to kind of be able to restore that feeling here in Dallas, especially at Old City Park.” Assessments will be made to determine what exactly needs to be done and what projects should be prioritized, but Randle expects the work to begin in 2026 and continue into 2027.
As of writing, it’s unclear when the general public can expect an update from the Parks and Recreation Department regarding what’s going to be addressed, but for now, it’s at least reassuring to know the historic park hasn’t completely fallen by the wayside.
On the park’s official website, a request to the public states, “We are seeking interpreters to help park visitors understand the history of the site and the significance of the buildings to the North Texas area by providing guided tours and school field trips. Interested parties are encouraged to email citypark@dallas.gov.”
