MEMORANDUM

DATE

September 11, 2015

TO

Members of the Dallas City Council

From

Mayor Michael S. Rawlings

SUBJECT

Trinity Urban Park planning

I heard and read the feedback we received this summer during more than a dozen public
forums on the Trinity Dream Team report. Our citizens are united around their desire for a
grand park. It is our responsibility to work as hard as we can to make that dream a reality.
We know that, for the most part, money for planning and development of such a park will not
come from city coffers. Thats why I recently asked the Trinity Trust Foundation and Deedie
and Rusty Rose to contribute to this important cause. Thanks to their generosity, Trinity Urban
Park planning, including how the Park interfaces with the parkway and surrounding
neighborhoods, will be privately sponsored by the Trinity Trust using up to $1 million in
contributions from the Roses. This will enable us to begin formulating a plan focused
specifically on park development between the two Margaret bridges. We must also continue
to include citizens' input in the planning process. As such, we anticipate holding public idea
sessions this fall.
Our long-term goal must be to reshape Dallas with an ecological and recreational treasure that
runs from the Great Trinity Forest to the Elm Fork. This news is a major step toward realizing
that goal. You will hear more about this during Tuesdays Transportation & Trinity River
Project Committee Meeting. Until then, please let me know if you have any questions.
Best regards,

Michael S. Rawlings
Mayor
cc:

A.C. Gonzalez, City Manager

Mark McDaniel, Assistant City Manager
Sarah Standifer, Director, Trinity Watershed Management
Sana Syed, Managing Director, Public Information Office

Dallas, The City That Works: Diverse, Vibrant and Progressive.