Samuell Farm - 2023 Leave No Trace Spotlight

The Dallas Park and Recreation Department is excited to announce that the nation's leading environmental advocate - Leave No Trace - has chosen Samuell Farm as a 2023 Leave No Trace Spotlight! In March, 2023, Samuell Farm will be the site of a yo...

White Rock Lake Foundation donates $150K to Dallas Park Department

White Rock Lake Foundation to give $151,000 for Winfrey Point renovation. Read the Dallas Advocate article here. 

Water Hemlock found at White Rock Lake

A toxic plant, Water Hemlock prefers wetter locations and grows .5 to 1 meter in height. It has small clusters of white flowers in an umbrella formation. The plant may resemble common yarrow or cow parsnip that are also in the carrot/parsley family. Water...

Coexisting with Urban Wildlife

Urban wildlife flourishes throughout North Texas. Conditions involving wildlife sightings and hazardous interactions within communities are monitored and managed by local, state and federal agencies including the USDA-Wildlife Services and Texas Parks and...

FIND YOURSELF AT WHITE ROCK LAKE

A new mapping system is making it easier to get around White Rock Lake Park. Now, park visitors can use a mobile device or laptop to access a digital map using QR codes found on 911 markers around the lake and on the trails.

Dallas Park and Recreation and ...

Smell the Flowers: Thank You for Not Smoking at our Dallas Parks

Dallas City Council implemented a no smoking ordinance in 2018 at all City of Dallas parks and trails. We encourage everyone to enjoy the fresh air and smell the flowers, not the smoke, when visiting one of our 397 parks. 

Smoking will be permitte...

2020 - 2021 Annual Report

Despite challenges created by the pandemic, the Dallas Park and Recreation Department continued to provide families and communities with quality parks, leisure programs and recreational facilities. Our most notable accomplishments have been captured in ou...

Oncor Donates 110 Acres of Park Land

Oncor has donated Parkdale Lake and the surrounding 110 acres of Park Land. 

Dallas Park and Recreation Gets National Accreditation

Dallas Park and Recreation Department has earned national accreditation in the field of parks and recreation through the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The departm...

Dallas Park and Recreation Board Supports COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts

The Dallas Park and Recreation Board passed a resolution supporting the national, state and local efforts to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to all eligible individuals. In addition, the Park Board suggests and recommends that city park and recreation profes...

Kiest Park’s Artwork Pays Tribute to Jimmie & Stevie Ray Vaughan!

A new art project at Kiest Park pays tribute to the musical contributions of Dallas natives and revered blues guitarists Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The artwork - We Are Music and Music is Us - honors the brothers as significant influencers in the musi...

Go Parks Newsletter!

See what's happening around Dallas in our Park and Recreation Communities. Find the latest edition of the Park Maintenance & Operations Community Newsletter HERE! 

Dallasites Favor New Dog Park at Griggs Park

The results are in! Griggs Park is being considered as the site for Dallas' fifth off-leash dog park. Dallas Park and Recreation received more than 300 responses to a survey asking patrons if they favor having an off-leash park near or within Gri...

Park & Recreation Staff Saves a Baby from a Burning Car

The Dallas Park and Recreation Department is so proud of our fast acting Park Maintenance employee, Mr. Tim Ray. In May of 2020, the quick-thinking actions of this dedicated park maintenance employee forever changed a family’s life. After witnes...

Park Champions Wanted – Why Dallas Needs Park Advocates

Parks
play a central role in the overall health and well-being of America’s citiesand the residents who live in them. Dallas, like most large urban cities, is
rapidly growing and changing. Huge construction projects, major freeway andinter...

Stone Table Restoration Underway!

In 1931, the City of Dallas built White Rock Lake’s first picnic pavilion and picnic grounds known today as the Stone Tables. This area serves tens of thousands of Dallas area residents a year as one of the most popular open air rental facilitie...

Dallas Park and Recreation receives $20,000 for pollinator awareness and education

Dallas Park and Recreation has received $20,000 to promote pollinator awareness and education as part of Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz sponsored by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation.

The department w...

National park and recreation award recognizes Dallas Park and Recreation manager

Daryl Quarles, park manager for senior programs, and Carol Zernial, executive director for the WellMed Charitable Foundation (WCF), are recipients of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)-NRPA Award for Health Equity Award given by the National Recrea...

Santa Fe Trail Head Survey Results

Summer 2020 Programs - Postponed to 2021

After careful consideration and the current Dallas County report of record high COVID-19 daily numbers, Dallas Park and Recreation Department has determined it is in the best and safest interest of participants and staff that the following programs are ca...

Dallas is a Finalist for 2020 National Gold Medal Award

Dallas Park and Recreation Department is a finalist for the 2020 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. This prestigious national honor is presented by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPR...

Summer Programs Postponed

Dallas Park and Recreation professionals are among those who confront Dallas’s most pressing health, environmental and social challenges with innovative programs and activities for everyone.

With the recent rise of Covid 19 cases, Dallas Park and...

Phase II Reopening of Dallas Parks

As the response to the COVID-19 emergency continues, please know that we are taking all necessary steps to ensure the public’s and employee safety while implementing the phased re-opening plan. After briefings to the Park and Recreation Board al...

Dallas Park & Recreation to reopen some facilities with usage restrictions.

On May 1, Dallas reopens golf courses, tennis facilities and resumes some outdoor activities with specific usage restrictions 

(DALLAS) – City of Dallas golf courses, tennis facilities, Elm Fork range and some outdoor fee-based programs ...

Dallas Park and Recreation 2018-2019 Annual Report

The department’s 2018 annual report “Sharing Your Leisure Moments” showcases the benefits of recreation and leisure programs through the camera lenses of residents and visitors.

Dallas Park and Recreation invited amateur and p...

Dallas' Best Kept Secret Parks!

Whether you were born and raised in Dallas or you’ve recently moved here from another city, you most likely already know that Dallas has beautiful parks and trails to visit. While some destinations are well known, there are other sites that you ...

Important information regarding Coronavirus

City officials along with Texas Department of State Health Services are in contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor the outbreak. Visit the City of Dallas website at http://www.dallascitynews.net/important-information-regardi...

Temporary Changes for Katy Trail Users

To manage the increasing number of Katy Trail users and encourage physical distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak, Dallas Park and Recreation will implement a trail management strategy that gives visitors access to the trail on specific days according to...

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Impacts on Dallas Park & Recreation

In coordination with the emergency declarations the Dallas Park and Recreation Department is closely monitoring information about the coronavirus (COVID-19), and has developed a plan based on the recommendations from health officials to ensure every preca...

Pacific Plaza Park in Downtown Dallas

The Pacific Plaza park, 3.7 acres in the downtown core, opened to the public Monday after more than a decade long effort between public and private entities. The park transforms what was once a parking lot into a walkable green space near Pacific Avenue a...

Wildflower Areas

The Dallas Park and Recreation Department receives several calls concerning the mowing of wildflowers throughout the parks system. There are several factors that attribute to the maintenance of wildflowers this season.

Wildflower areas in parks are identif...

He made Dallas put its money where its parks are!

He made Dallas put its money where its parks are, but now this native son is leaving City Hall.

Sting of the Texas Spring

Every time it rains, May through June, little mounds of dirt pop up all over the place.  Everyone knows what they are, or they quickly (and usually painfully) figure out what those mounds contain.  They contain fire ants, specifically th...

2017-2018 Annual Report

Annual report tells how parks and recreation programs enrich Dallas communities

Using photos and infographics, Dallas Park and Recreation Department's annual report vividly captures how parks, conservation programs, and recreational activities create desir...

5 Mile Creek Master Plan Approved By Dallas Park Board

Five Mile Creek Greenbelt Project gets go ahead from city officials for new trails, parks in southern Dallas communities

(DALLAS) — Dallas Park and Recreation Board approved the Five Mile Creek Urban Greenbelt masterplan that will create an inter...

#DallasParks Secretos Mejor Guardados.

Sea que haya nacido y crecido en Dallas o que se haya mudado recientemente aquí desde otra ciudad, lo más probable es que ya saben que Dallas tiene hermosos parques y senderos para visitar.  Algunos destinos son bien conocid...

Bachman Lake Skate Park

Tonight, View The Design For the New Skate Park Coming to Bachman Lake Park

Join the City of Dallas tonight at 6PM  to see the design for the Bachman Lake Park Skate Park.

In-person and virtual meetings are 6PM December 1 at Bachman Recre...

Reopening of Willie B Johnson Recreation Center

FOR RELEASENovember 1, 2022

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Hawkins, Dallas Park and Recreation, 817-994-2498 (Text/VM)

Willie B. Johnson Recreation Center Today Reopened With Modern Look After Expansion Renovation

(DALLAS) - Willie B Johnson R...

Media Advisory: Willie B Johnson Recreation Center Reopens

Date (Month, Day, Year)

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Hawkins, Dallas Park and Recreation, 817-994-2498 (Text/VM)

Popular Hamilton Park Recreation Center Reopens After Undergoing Restorations

WHAT:

Reopening of Willie B. Johnson Recr...

Aviso a los medios de comunicación: Dallas reabrirá el Centro Recreativo del Norte de Dallas la próx

1 de noviembre de 2022

Contacto con los medios de comunicación

Andrea Hawkins, Parque y Ocio de Dallas

(817) 994-2498 (VM/Text) o andrea.hawkins@dallascityhall.com

El popular centro recreativo de Hamilton Park reabre sus puertas tras ser restaurado...

Grand Reopening of Willie B Johnson Recreation Center

FOR RELEASENovember 1, 2022

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Hawkins, Dallas Park and Recreation, 817-994-2498 (Text/VM)

Read on...

Hoy Dallas celebra la reapertura del Centro Recreativo del Norte de Dallas

PARA PUBLICAR 1 de noviembre de 2022

PARA MÁS INFORMACIÓN CONTACTAR CON Andrea Hawkins, Dallas Park and Recreation, (817) 994-2498 (Texto/VM)

El Centro Recreativo Willie B. Johnson reabre hoy con un aspecto moderno tras la ren...

WellMed Charitable Foundation Donates $150,000 to Dallas Park and Recreation Department

Date (Month, Day, Year)

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Hawkins, Dallas Park and Recreation, 817-994-2498 (Text/VM)

WellMed's Donation to City of Dallas Will Give Senior Residents Free Access to Recreation Programs

WHAT:   &am...

Exall Park Ball Field Renaming Ceremony

September 30, 2022

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Hawkins, Dallas Park and Recreation, 817-994-2498 (Text/VM)

Exall Park ball field to be named in honor of longtime east Dallas community advocate

WHAT:    Exall Park...

City Reveals new look for Oak Cliff Golf Course

September 29, 2022

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Hawkins, Dallas Park and Recreation, 817-994-2498 (Text/VM)

New Look Welcomes Golfers Back To Historic Oak Cliff Course

(DALLAS) –  Mayor Eric Johnson and Mayor Pro...

Teen All Access Pass

FOR RELEASEJune 13, 2022 CONTACTAndrea Hawkins |  andrea.hawkins@dallascity.hall | (817) 994-2498 

This summer, 10,000 Dallas teens can visit some of the city’s more popular cultural and recreational attractions &nd...

Trinity River National Water Trail

FOR RELEASEJune 22, 2022

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Hawkins, Dallas Park and Recreation, 817-994-2498 (Text/VM)

City of Dallas Officially Welcomes Dallas Section of Trinity River National Water Trail

(DALLAS) - City of Dallas celebrates th...

Trailblazers - November 2020

Have you heard of the Fort Worth to Dallas Regional Trail? Or as we call it on this side of the region, the Dallas to Fort Worth Regional Trail? In November 2013, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) spearheaded an effort with the Mayor...

Trailblazers - October 2020

Birding and trails go hand in hand, and is a great outdoor activity for social distancing.  Dallas is recognized as a "Bird City Texas" by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Audubon. With a wide variety of trail types and diffe...

Trailblazers - September 2020

Dallas’  White Rock Creek / Lake Trail is without question both the longest and  most heavily-used trail in North Texas. The trail has a total length of 17.1 miles with 9.5 miles winding around White Rock Lake and the rest of the trail g...

Trailblazers - August 2020

Kidd Springs Park – A Gem of a Resource in Oak Cliff

by Augustine “Tino” Jalomo, President Kidd Springs Central, the Friends of Kidd Springs Park and Recreation Center

When I moved to Kidd Springs 14 years ago from Oak Lawn, I ...

Trailblazers - July 2020

My number one concern when riding my bike on the trails and roads around White Rock Lake, as well as all the other connecting trails, is my safety, and the safety of all users. 

Just a little background about me. I am 73 years old and am a competi...

Trailblazers - June 2020

One of the unexpected outcomes of the COVID19 restrictions has been significantly increased use and exposure of the City of Dallas’s growing trail system. As a frequent trail user, I’ve noticed many more runners, walkers, bicycles, and...

Trailblazers - June is National Trail Month

Amid all that’s going on in the world right now, it may be more important than ever to get outside — whether it’s for endurance sports, casual recreation or a walk with family.Living in Dallas, we have a prime opportunity to ...

The Benefits of Reduced Mowing Along Creeks

The Dallas Park and Recreation Department is always looking for ways to improve the sustainability of our parks.  One of the areas the department is currently looking at is how we maintain the vegetation areas along creeks.  For years th...

Sting of the Texas Spring

Every time it rains, May through June, little mounds of dirt pop up all over the place.  Everyone knows what they are, or they quickly (and usually painfully) figure out what those mounds contain.  They contain fire ants, specifically th...

Spring 2019 Prairie Flowers Biological Survey

Calling ALL community scientists. The Dallas Park and Recreation Department’s Urban Biologist needs your help.  Spring is here and it looks like we will have a great wildflower season.  Part of the Department’s prairi...

Dallas Park and Recreation brings home the TOMA Award

Dallas Park and Recreation Urban Biologist, Brett Johnson, was instrumental in bringing the TOMA award for Innovative Programming home to Dallas for 2019 with his digital presentation of the Dallas Park and Recreation Bioblitz Program this year at the Sou...

Driving on City Parks is Prohibited

Just a friendly reminder, it is against City Ordinance 32-8 to drive any type of motorized vehicle on a City park.

Just a friendly reminder, it is against City Ordinance 32-8  to
drive any type of motorized vehicle on a City park.  With the recent rains, the illegal use of trucks, ATVs, UTVs, and motorized dirt bikes has b...

Rare American Black Duck Spotted at White Rock Lake Park

A very unique and rare visitor to Texas has recently been spotted at Sunset Bay in White Rock Lake Park, the American Black Duck (Anas rubripes). The bird is being seen in company of Mallards near trail marker 176L

This bird is so rare to Texas that the Texas Birds Record
Committee (TBRC) only recognizes 9 historical sightings, with one pendingverification.  The previous records for
this species are concentrated in North Texas, East Texas and the Texas ...

Birding in Dallas Parks

Fall is here and it is a great time to get outside and explore Dallas parks.

With over 300 properties within the Dallas Park and Recreation
Department system, a wide variety habitats are available resulting in a widevariety of birds being observed.  Parks may include manicured parks  in Downtown
Dallas and ne...

Harry S. Moss Park Prairie Restoration Update

There are some exciting things going on with the assorted prairie restoration projects around Dallas Park and Recreation Department properties. The most noticeable of these efforts is some recent brush removal at Harry S. Moss Park in northeast Dallas.

                HarryS. Moss Park has approximately 23 acres of prairie remnant.  Through the years of various land-use
practices, and with some help alo...

Algae in Dallas Park and Recreation Lake

Summer is the time of year where we start seeing various shades of green, blue, red and brown in Dallas area water bodies.

These different colors are typically
associated with different types of algae. Algae is a generic term that covers many different organisms from single
cell bacteria to large, multi-celled organisms. Algae may appear as pond scum, long fibers, or ca...

Pollinator Week

Do you like to look at the pretty flowers and breathe clean air? If you said yes, thank a pollinator!

June 19^th-25^th is Pollinator Week for 2017.  Pollinators are the bees, butterflies, birds, beetles and bats that help pollinate 75% of all flowering plants.  The City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department actively works to help with t...

Dallas Park and Recreation Statement on Geese Disappearing at White Rock Lake

Dallas Park and Recreation Department received a citizen report that geese are disappearing from White Rock Lake. Citizens are encouraged to call 911 if they witness the theft or abuse of animal life on park property.

Dallas Park and Recreation Department received a citizen report that geese are disappearing from White Rock Lake. Citizens are encouraged to call 911 if they witness the theft or abuse of animal life on park property.

“Dallas Park and Recreation proactivel...

DFW Wins National “City Nature Challenge” Competition

Thank you, citizen scientists for making DFW the national winner of City Nature Challenge. Earlier this month we asked you to join us in submitting pictures of plants, animals and other living organisms that make up our diverse ecosystem.

Thank you, citizen scientists for making DFW the national winner of City Nature Challenge. Earlier this month we asked you to join us April 14 -18 in submitting pictures of plants, animals and other living organisms make up our diverse ecosystem, using th...

City Nature Challenge

Looking for a fun activity to get outside and enjoy nature? If so, join us for the 2017 Nature City Challenge on April 14-18. It’s a nationwide effort to get out, observe and document the incredible biological diversity found within the city.

Looking for a fun activity to get outside and enjoy nature?  If so, join us for the 2017 Nature City Challenge on April 14-18.  It’s a nationwide effort to get out, observe and document the incredible biological diversity found within th...

Spring Has Sprung at our Dallas Parks

Spring has arrived in Dallas. So what does this mean for nature in Dallas parks?

Spring has arrived in Dallas. The temperatures are rising and periodically dropping with an occasional spring storm in the forecast.  So what does this mean for nature in Dallas parks?

SnakesJust as the warm weather draws out people to the parks, ...

Harry S. Moss Prairie Restoration

The Dallas Park and Recreation Department has identified the prairie remnant at Harry S. Moss Park as a priority for restoration.

In being good stewards to the land, the Dallas Park and Recreation Department is looking for ways to better manage our limited natural resources on city park properties. Much is made of the blackland prairie remnants at White Rock Lake, but those remnants...

Busy Beavers

Beavers provide good environmental services for our parks but they create some challenges and the Dallas Park and Recreation Department is doing its part to minimize those.

It’s winter, and the leaves and smaller trees haven fallen, providing the perfect tools for nature’s engineer to transform the landscape as few animals can. American beavers are very active right now but that wasn’t always the case.

In 1910, beavers ha...Read on...

Winter Brings an Increase in Coyote Sightings

Winter has arrived in Dallas and that means an increase in coyote sightings. Coyotes sightings increase as they search for food.

Winter has arrived in Dallas and that means an increase in coyote sightings.  Coyotes sightings increase as they search for food.  During this time, surviving coyote pups are anywhere from 7-8 months old and are going through a growth sp...

Think Again Before You Feed the Ducks

Over the years we’ve learned that wildlife feeding is not the best idea. In fact, wildlife feeding tends to be the cause of many problems.

Over the years we’ve learned that wildlife feeding is not the best idea. In fact, wildlife feeding tends to be the cause of many problems.

Ducks and geese who are accustomed to being fed by people have no fear and are conditioned to be around people...Read on...

Urban Biologist Working to Save Endangered Blackland Prairie

Dallas Park and Recreation received help from three of the state’s top plant and prairie experts to conduct a formal assessment of White Rock’s prairie remnants. Read how the department is working to improve the conditions of this endangered ecosystem.

The City of Dallas has some very unique natural resource assets. One of the most unique is the prairie remnant found around White Rock Lake. There are several different types of prairie plant communities found on the 14 remnants, but historically speaki...Read on...

Snake Season is Upon Us

Spring is here and outdoor activity is at its peak in Dallas parks and on trails. While you are out, keep in mind that if it feels really good to you, it probably feels really good for a lot of wild animals. That of course includes snakes.

Spring is here and outdoor activity is at its peak in Dallas parks and on trails. While you are out, keep in mind that if it feels really good to you, it probably feels really good for a lot of wild animals. That of course includes snakes.

Once the a...Read on...

Citizen Scientists Help Us Inventory Park Ecosystems at BioBlitz

Some 34 citizens joined the Dallas Park and Recreation Department for its first ever BioBlitz

Some 34 citizens joined the Dallas Park and Recreation Department for its first ever BioBlitz on Saturday, June 11.

It was all in an effort to provide a fun, nature educational outreach experience and help generate an inventory of the diverse ecosystem...Read on...

Become a Citizen Scientist at BioBlitz

Nature lovers, now’s your chance to become a volunteer Citizen Scientist for the City of Dallas Park and Recreation. Join us Saturday, June 11 for our first ever BioBlitz.

Nature lovers, now’s your chance to become a volunteer Citizen Scientist for the City of Dallas Park and Recreation. Join us and other citizen scientists Saturday, June 11 for our first ever BioBlitz. Learn and inventory different species of vegetation an...Read on...

Dallas Park and Recreation has sprung into spring

As you head out this weekend to celebrate Easter with family and friends, we want to personally invite you to visit our Dallas parks and trails. Our Park Maintenance Services Division has been working hard to roll out the red, or green carpet for you.

As you head out this weekend to celebrate Easter with family and friends, we want to personally invite you to visit our Dallas parks and trails. Our Park Maintenance Services Division has been working hard to roll out the red, or green carpet for you.
...Read on...

City of Dallas Park and Recreation Launches Pollinator Conservation Program

The pollinator conservation program will help the declining pollinator population and you too are encouraged to join in the effort.

The City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department announced details of a new pollinator conservation program today at Kiest Park. The new initiative promises to help the declining population of bees, butterflies, birds, bats and moths. The program was dev...Read on...

Dallas Park and Recreation Activates Feral Hog Abatement Program

Feral Hogs are a menace to our City and are causing tens of thousands of dollars in property damage every year.

Feral Hogs are a menace to our City and are causing tens of thousands of dollars in property damage every year. In response, the City of Dallas Park and Recreation is launching a new program that will trap them, reduce their numbers and reduce the destruc...Read on...