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.