The Dallas Park and Recreation Board meeting on June 26, 2025, featured significant community engagement and discussions focused on local park improvements and collaboration.

The meeting began with a public comment from a community member who highlighted ongoing cleanup efforts at local golf courses and BlackRock Creek. This individual expressed frustration over the persistent issue of trash in the creek and offered to organize donation cleanups in park areas, emphasizing the need for community action.

Following this, Naima Hill, a board member of the Parks Community Cedars Neighborhood Association and founder of the nonprofit Abby Sunshine, addressed the board. Hill shared her personal story, advocating for her community's needs following the tragic loss of her daughter in 2023. She outlined three key areas where the Cedars community seeks support from the Parks Department:

1. **Old City Park Master Plan**: Hill requested an update on the status of the master plan and how community input would be integrated into the process. She stressed the importance of ensuring that local voices are heard.

2. **Pocket Park Enhancements**: She sought clarification on the timeline for promised enhancements to existing pocket parks, expressing a desire for collaboration with the Parks Department to bring these improvements to fruition.

3. **Inclusive Community Playground**: Hill advocated for the establishment of an inclusive playground in the Cedars, a project initiated in memory of her daughter. She highlighted the community's fundraising efforts and the recent success of the Abby Sunshine Festival, which brought together over 500 participants to honor lost loved ones.

Hill concluded her remarks by emphasizing the need for formal communication and partnership with the city to facilitate grant applications and planning for these projects.

The meeting underscored the board's commitment to engaging with community members and addressing their concerns, setting the stage for future collaboration on park improvements and community initiatives.