[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6612412,"mediaKeyId","2891493-b9e40ac8248b6ead6a9d85e369d5eb65","parentId",2891493,"title","Trust for Public Land and city launch first cohort of Dallas Greening Initiative to convert vacant lots to neighborhood greens","audioSeconds",1306,"startMs",4240000,"endMs",5546000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891493-b9e40ac8248b6ead6a9d85e369d5eb65&start=4240&end=5546","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891493-b9e40ac8248b6ead6a9d85e369d5eb65/thumbnail_4240000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612412/Dallas/Dallas-County/Texas/Trust-for-Public-Land-and-city-launch-first-cohort-of-Dallas-Greening-Initiative-to-convert-vacant-lots-to-neighborhood-greens","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612412-0272d9726362c7e8fdc255f926523e22/orig.mp4?Expires=1770423756&Signature=Oc-qHr~cuivhJKrxSDROCL-stgyDdhiULyQE4tdLpQMC3p~e~K0rZRU-gXXZALH0CrbfZqA7NEWVMgzYXmh6vIXje6RAxXZ~6zxxZF5yX~C7J26jJRTXeQciFaAScXcmtv62K7r~VuGoc3yYSAvppSF1gBYR0RbgQVWbDG1n36MtuKXwmThIc5vP2lAOzRvPMTYceCCN71nj9k5JG2j7cz1GqVCavT2UjQacAwc7-JqVue9JsyhgMszwohYTfvtIRV1oDer4S6TWYBzdDpFisJahc1FLeLnM1C3PkI5yTf1FpbLsG7zd-~x1LHQ2pDgTmiQSOXewKR97VFMS08G6xQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dallas","date","2025-04-07T00:00:00Z","article","Trust for Public Land and Dallas Parks presented the Dallas Greening Initiative’s first cohort of neighborhood green spaces and described community‑led designs, funding and a construction schedule that officials said will deliver the first site in summer 2025.

Molly Morgan, Texas State Director, Trust for Public Land, described the program’s goal “to increase the number of Dallas residents who have a park within a 10 minute walk of their home.” She said the initiative focuses on converting vacant city‑owned lots into small, neighborhood‑scaled “greens” that communities can activate for passive recreation, shade and programming.

Funding support includes $1.25 million in ARPA funds committed by Mayor Johnson and a matching $1.25 million raised by Trust for Public Land, including $1 million from Whitehill Philanthropies and $250,000 from Meadows Foundation. TPL said cohort 1 comprises five sites — one in each of five council districts and one at‑large — and the five sites together will serve more than 14,000 residents. The full program, TPL said, aims to serve more than 54,000 residents across 15 sites over four years.

TPL outlined a three‑step community engagement process: an initial site overview to discuss possible amenities, a “pop‑up” on the site using Better Block to show temporary options and collect feedback, and a design unveiling that refines schematic plans and stewardship models. TPL emphasized that the community, especially neighbors within a 10‑minute walk, sets priorities for the final design and the maintenance approach.

Schematic designs presented included features such as small pavilions, loop walking paths, nature play, pollinator gardens, decomposed‑granite picnic areas, seating buffers and vegetative screening to protect adjacent private property. Several sites include shade structures and benches and preserve existing trees where possible; one site ties into a future Dallas Public Library location and will be coordinated with the library’s design timeline.

TPL described additional stewardship planning: the organization said it will withhold 10% of capital funds to support supplementary maintenance, help form friends‑of‑the‑park groups and run volunteer and training workshops so new steward groups can manage routine upkeep. TPL and Parks said maintenance plans will vary by site and may include support from volunteers, neighborhood groups and outside partners.

Construction timing: TPL told the committee that Facilities is set to break ground on the first site in June 2025 and that the cohort‑one sites are expected to be completed within 12–14 months. TPL said cohort two planning is underway, with candidates identified for every council district and an ambition to begin new cohorts in late 2025.

Committee members praised the community engagement process. Councilmember Blackman described pop‑up events as “fun and energetic” and said the initiative also supports public safety by increasing sight lines and daytime activation. Chair Arnold and others emphasized the need for continued communication with nearby neighbors, coordination with public safety for lighting and access, and careful planning to avoid unintended overnight encampments.

The committee did not take formal action. TPL and Parks will continue site‑level design refinement, finalize construction plans and work with council offices on cohort‑two site selection and fundraising.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Dallas - Park, Trails, and Environment Committee - Apr 07, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trust for Public Land and Dallas Parks unveiled designs and community engagement plans for five cohort‑one green spaces, funded by $1.25M in ARPA plus matching philanthropic funds; the first site is scheduled for groundbreaking in June 2025, and the program aims to deliver 15 neighborhood greens over four years.","taxTitle","Dallas, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",2781,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612418,"Parks highlights trail‑team progress: 200+ miles of trail, maintenance push and new digital tool",1493,1478000,2971000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891493-b9e40ac8248b6ead6a9d85e369d5eb65&start=1478&end=2971","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891493-b9e40ac8248b6ead6a9d85e369d5eb65/thumbnail_1478000.jpg","/articles/6612418/Dallas/Dallas-County/Texas/Parks-highlights-trailteam-progress-200-miles-of-trail-maintenance-push-and-new-digital-tool","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612418-e5c9d22060795173b4dae9e71cdc79ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1770423756&Signature=oPRla7BfrANol5qB4M92GneHNMnkVUEB6-zOhpi3OSh4IUGGCIiH-Dew2btcpaqbArofoOn4HSJcTS-qLKc7eaWYLUtiYqoNpj6ShO9D9JkeqTIElKjuDahX-2GD51TLBSAktAuzyJeiuMCbBSjIa2cswe-zJbr4Y7NBvGdzXRt16zSqkLw~q6xut0Gay67HgSfSndP4RXNOGjzYyUFz1aP9a1~8Xn9NxEtdYMbWm4-zQUbOaul9abs1wf~wRi8vCswaEs5cCWSzna5-4z9Vg9boKmmhWrT6MWghKuo~hM0dMw~wlOW5zcGFoHpt9yrncTGg33CnmYbwwI8nCUr9Bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks and Recreation updated the committee on the Citywide Trail Initiative, reporting progress on maintenance, safety and a new internal mapping tool that staff said will improve inspections and public navigation of Dallas’ trail network.

Renee Johnson, Deputy Director, Parks and Recreation, said the department has an “award winning” system and noted the city has roughly “on our way to 300 [miles]” after reporting about 180 miles in active use and a larger inventory of more than 200 miles when including trails under design or construction.

The department said the city now counts approximately 150 individual trails and described classifications used for management: park trails (stationary loops), linear trails (connections between parks, neighborhoods and commercial areas), soft surface trails (natural paths) and program trails (under design or construction). Staff said linear trails include roughly 18 linear miles and 3 connectors; program trails in the future inventory total about 34 miles; park trails account for about 35 miles.

David Smith, interim superintendent for Parks, described the trail team’s scope: inspections, striping, graffiti removal, pressure washing, installation of 9‑1‑1 location markers where access is remote, vegetation management to push back sight‑line buffers, ADA barrier repairs and oversight of construction and drainage/erosion issues. Smith said the 9‑1‑1 markers were “probably 1 of the the biggest components” because they help first responders locate people in remote sections such as the AT&T and Trinity Forest trails.

Ronald Good, supervisor of the trail team, demonstrated an internal database and map the team developed to visualize trail type, maintenance district, council districts and mileage. Good showed how staff can toggle trail types, view district‑level inventories and use a built‑in 360 camera to inspect trail conditions remotely. He said counters (“eco counters”) have been repaired and 16 are now collecting usage data to help prioritize maintenance and programming.

Committee members pressed for clarity on erosion and long‑term maintenance. Councilmember Blackman raised erosion at White Rock Creek and asked why erosion funding did not appear in recent bond discussions; Parks staff said erosion is included in their assessments and noted substantial costs if large‑scale erosion projects are required. Chair Moreno and Parks staff said future trail design should consult Dallas Water Utilities to avoid siting trails too close to creek embankments, and staff said a hydro‑mulcher has been used for some bank repair and revegetation.

Members discussed safety and usage concerns. Several members asked about encouraging canopy and tree preservation to avoid future heat issues where trees are being removed during infill development. The committee discussed encroachments, private property adjacency, unsheltered population cleanup and the role of park rangers and the city’s unsheltered‑population team in addressing ongoing safety and maintenance.

Parks staff listed recent accomplishments including installation of 9‑1‑1 markers, repair and installation of eco counters, striping (e.g., Katy Trail ahead of events), concrete and ADA repairs, crosswalk striping at White Rock Lake and coordination with Transportation and other departments on crosswalks and trail crossings. Smith said the trail team provides support for six maintenance districts rather than supplanting district responsibilities.

No formal actions were taken. Staff said their internal map application is a work in progress; Parks is working to develop the tool further and explore public release through a Park Tank mentorship and future funding. Committee members encouraged quick public rollout and asked Parks to continue coordinating on erosion, tree canopy preservation and maintenance funding.","Parks and Recreation presented an update on the Citywide Trail Initiative: the city now inventories more than 200 miles of trails, a four‑person trail team is focusing on inspections, vegetation management, 9‑1‑1 markers and eco counters, and staff demonstrated an internal mapping database intended for future public use.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612422,"Dallas study identifies hot spots; OEQS urges using maps for cooling and outreach",355,55000,410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891493-b9e40ac8248b6ead6a9d85e369d5eb65&start=55&end=410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891493-b9e40ac8248b6ead6a9d85e369d5eb65/thumbnail_55000.jpg","/articles/6612422/Dallas/Dallas-County/Texas/Dallas-study-identifies-hot-spots-OEQS-urges-using-maps-for-cooling-and-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612422-3b00bbf82b1f1f188cd18833e1602aa1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770423756&Signature=oypVTSvCSYvMM-ycjJ4uCRYbXxoIM4SBcwSstukN4NePgTIgWaHBnVbB2EzYHQSCr6py-C9me1o5hx3H9H1rkiz9xvxcusr0w-6BMgMyjbRN3MB-Zk6AFRKMrtHKVG4DpewmbGdpYSm2Vy1JjhnmCda~YPF1qiXsl0kDYttLzBuBQtT7dZovxcWZqrzptnSYO4N4iVIrR9h3z-XQc7l52eYCt6HaOSflBnjoLq74KUsskjQRyj-2vJwNVwMuDirvhdONLoBwZX2N62TyyzbD6XR1~5jYQssvZrARjaYJmi-kO5A~xqMjsh06bS3kVZb~yffQGVvGYlRNixMSM580vA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability presented on an expanded urban heat island study and interactive maps showing concentrated heat in parts of Dallas and proposed next steps to guide tree planting and heat-response planning.

The study’s purpose, Paul White, Director, Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability, said, was “to identify the hot spots in our city and prepare for extreme heat” and to help prioritize “ways to implement cooling solutions in the communities.”

The study combined vehicle-based temperature data collected in 2023 and 2024 and modeled citywide surface temperatures. OEQS staff said they covered the entire city — “100% of the city, which is about 350 square land miles” — with three one‑hour driving sampling sessions per day during data collection runs. The team reported a maximum simultaneous temperature differential of about 12 degrees, meaning one location could be around 90°F while another reached roughly 102°F at the same time.

The combined map shows the highest modeled heat concentrated in the northwest quadrant of the city, downtown and adjacent industrial areas and along the I‑35 corridor. Cooler conditions appeared near the Trinity River and within the Great Trinity Forest, where canopy cover helped moderate temperatures. The presentation noted built infrastructure such as highways, shopping areas and surface parking concentrated heat, while street trees and pocket parks reduced it.

OEQS staff described interactive map features that allow users to view morning, afternoon and evening readings, inspect individual temperature points recorded every second during a one‑hour drive session, and visualize routes used to create the model. White said staff are working with consultants and internal IT partners to host the maps on city servers so departments can layer planning and council‑district information onto the heat data.

Committee members asked for greater geographic clarity and community access. Chair Arnold pressed staff to ensure neighborhood labels were precise, saying, “We do need to be very clear about that because we wanna make sure we get justice.” Assistant City Manager Liz Cedillo Pereira and OEQS staff offered to provide a more detailed walkthrough of the interactive map and promised to brief councilmembers and their staff on site‑specific hot spots.

Council members discussed next steps for using the data: integrating it into tree‑planting strategies with Parks and Recreation, feeding it into emergency and heat‑response planning with Dallas Fire and Rescue and the Office of Emergency Management, and offering the maps to Public Works and homelessness services for siting cooling shelters and inclement weather centers. White said OEQS also hopes to incorporate the findings into weatherization projects, budget permitting, and to continue public outreach so residents know the data are available.

Members raised use and interpretation issues: one member noted data collection occurred on a Saturday and asked whether weekday traffic and transit patterns could change results; another asked staff to identify areas that are “teetering” from moderate to high heat so neighborhoods can take preventive measures such as preserving canopy cover. OEQS staff said the maps can be layered with additional data — for example, tree canopy inventories — to support proactive planning.

The committee did not take formal action at the briefing. Staff were directed to provide councilmembers and the public clearer, more granular access to the interactive map and to coordinate further with Parks, Dallas Fire and Rescue, Public Works, homelessness services and the city’s planning teams to inform tree‑planting and heat‑response measures.

The presentation and committee discussion focused on translating the mapping into operational uses — targeting canopy expansion, siting cooling centers and informing neighborhood outreach — rather than proposing new regulations or specific budget actions at this meeting.

OEQS staff said they will return with additional briefings and are available to walk council offices through the map to identify district‑level hot spots for targeted outreach and interventions.","City Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability staff presented combined 2023–24 urban heat island mapping showing up to a 12-degree difference across neighborhoods, highlighted hot zones around downtown and I‑35 corridors, and proposed using maps to prioritize tree planting, cooling shelters and heat-response planning.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Trust for Public Land and city launch first cohort of Dallas Greening Initiative to convert vacant lots to neighborhood greens

Parks highlights trail‑team progress: 200+ miles of trail, maintenance push and new digital tool

Dallas study identifies hot spots; OEQS urges using maps for cooling and outreach