Dallas Approves Long-Awaited South Dallas Community Park

The new park at Fair Park aims to improve the area for the local community and all city residents.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Dallas City Council has approved a development agreement to begin construction on the long-planned Community Park at Fair Park in South Dallas. The park has been in consideration for over a decade and faced some recent funding and oversight challenges, but the council has now green-lit the project with accountability measures in place.

Why it matters

The new Community Park is a crucial investment to improve Fair Park, a major city asset, for the benefit of the surrounding South Dallas community as well as all Dallas residents. The park's development has been a long-standing priority for local leaders and residents who have advocated for the project.

The details

The approved development agreement requires Fair Park First, the nonprofit managing the park's construction, to complete fundraising and design within six months, begin construction within 90 days of permit issuance, and finish the park within 24 months of the start of construction. The Park and Recreation director will review and approve all design documents, and the city will retain audit rights throughout the project.

  • The Dallas City Council approved the development agreement on Wednesday, March 3, 2026.
  • Construction of the park is planned to begin after the 2026 World Cup, with a target opening in November 2027.

The players

Fair Park First

The nonprofit organization managing the construction of the Community Park at Fair Park.

Adam Bazaldua

The District 7 Councilmember who expressed gratitude for the community's advocacy and the council's work to get the park agreement approved.

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What they’re saying

“I just can't thank you all enough for unifying, for fighting, for advocating, for not accepting. This is what makes being an elected official worth it, being able to deliver tangible results to the residents who elected me to be here on their behalf.”

— Adam Bazaldua, District 7 Councilmember (Dallas Documenters)

What’s next

Construction of the park is planned to begin after the 2026 World Cup, with a target opening in November 2027.

The takeaway

The approval of the Community Park at Fair Park development agreement represents a significant victory for the South Dallas community, who have long advocated for this investment to improve their neighborhood and the city's premier public space. The project's accountability measures and timeline aim to ensure the park's timely and successful completion.