Winnetka Heights' Kevin W. Sloan Park Celebrates Ribbon Cutting

New green space replaces former traffic connector in Dallas neighborhood

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:52am

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in soft pools of warm color and light, depicting a verdant park setting with people walking along winding paths and children playing on the grass, conceptually representing the community-driven transformation of an unwanted urban infrastructure into a vibrant public space.The new Kevin W. Sloan Park in Winnetka Heights offers a tranquil green oasis for the Dallas neighborhood, replacing an unpopular former traffic connector.Dallas Today

The Dallas Park and Recreation Department held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Kevin W. Sloan Park, a new public green space built in place of the former Jefferson/12th Connector road in the Winnetka Heights neighborhood. The park was named after local architect Kevin Sloan, who advocated for converting the unpopular traffic connector into a community gathering space before his death in 2021.

Why it matters

The creation of Kevin W. Sloan Park represents the successful community-driven effort to transform an unwanted traffic thoroughfare into a new public amenity that reconnects the Winnetka Heights neighborhood. The park's development highlights the power of grassroots advocacy to reshape urban infrastructure and create more livable public spaces.

The details

The former Jefferson/12th Connector was built in the 1960s by the City of Dallas, requiring the removal of 19 or 21 homes along South Winnetka and South Clinton Avenues. Local architect Kevin Sloan, who moved to Winnetka Heights in 1994, strongly disliked the connector and worked with the Winnetka Heights Neighborhood Association to convert it into a park. The $2 million park project was funded through a 2017 bond issue and features new trees, walking paths, and green space for the community.

  • The ribbon cutting ceremony for Kevin W. Sloan Park took place on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
  • Kevin Sloan died of brain cancer in October 2021 at the age of 63.

The players

Kevin W. Sloan

A former professor of architecture at the University of Texas at Arlington who founded his own local practice. He was a longtime Winnetka Heights resident who advocated for converting the former Jefferson/12th Connector into a neighborhood park before his death in 2021.

Diane Sloan

The wife of Kevin W. Sloan, who shared his dislike for the former Jefferson/12th Connector road.

Diane Sherman

The founder of the Winnetka Heights Neighborhood Association, who recruited Kevin Sloan to help envision the new park.

Chad West

The District 1 Council member who praised the park as a "huge win" that reconnects the Winnetka Heights neighborhood.

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What they’re saying

“Well, Kevin hated it. And when navigating it, he used language that I cannot use within a family-friendly venue. So you can imagine how quickly he jumped at the opportunity when Diane Sherman asked for his help in converting this into a neighborhood park.”

— Diane Sloan, Wife of Kevin W. Sloan

“Kevin never hesitated when he was approached to help us. And he, with a twinkle in his eye, envisioned and described what he thought would happen here.”

— Diane Sherman, Founder, Winnetka Heights Neighborhood Association

“It's a huge win, and it's an example that you don't see enough in the City of Dallas.”

— Chad West, District 1 Council member

What’s next

The park will continue to evolve over time to reflect the values and needs of the Winnetka Heights community.

The takeaway

The creation of Kevin W. Sloan Park demonstrates the power of grassroots advocacy to transform unwanted urban infrastructure into vibrant public spaces that better serve local residents. This project highlights how community-driven efforts can reshape a city's landscape to prioritize livability and connectivity.