Residents of the South Dallas neighborhood of Bonton are redefining their community through initiatives focused on fresh food and public art.
Once a region burdened by city neglect and severe flooding, Bonton is now embarking on a revitalization journey that honors its history while paving a new path for future generations.
Located just five miles southeast of Downtown Dallas, Bonton lies at the confluence of the Trinity River and the Great Trinity Forest.
The original Dallas Floodway, constructed in the 1930s, utilized levees and pumps to protect downtown from flooding.
However, this system often trapped floodwaters inside Bonton to safeguard other areas, leaving residents vulnerable until the Rochester Levee was established in the mid-1990s.
Daris Lee, a lifelong resident, shares, “We were always flooded. What’s worse is that the homeowners could not get flood insurance.”
Since the levee’s creation, the skepticism of constant flooding has given way to progress.
“With survival no longer a worry, the community can make significant strides forward,” Lee notes.
The absence of grocery stores, clinics, and other necessary resources painted a stark reality of poverty intermingled with rich community ties.
Lee reflects, “That is when you start to see programs coming together,” and this collective effort led to a significant turning point with the establishment of Bonton Farms in 2014.
Mark Jones, president and CEO of Bonton Farms, encapsulates the mission, saying, “We’re creating hope.”
One of the first challenges tackled after the protective levee was constructed was addressing the persistent food desert in the area—defined as a location where residents lack access to fresh groceries within a mile.
The Bonton Farms Market, established on a 1.25-acre site, serves as a local hub where residents can purchase fresh produce grown on-site and receive guidance on establishing their vegetable gardens.
Additionally, Bonton Farms runs a 40-acre parcel dedicated to an apprenticeship program aimed at instilling farming skills and providing a positive work history to help participants secure future employment.
Jones emphasizes the importance of empowerment, stating, “You impact people’s lives when you give them a helping hand. You have to give people tools to build a life for themselves. We are walking beside them to be a beacon of hope.”
The Bonton Farms Wellness Center, which opened in March, marked another milestone in the neighborhood’s revival.
Lee, who is actively involved with both the market and the wellness center, reports that over 600 patients have visited since its opening, which includes volunteer dental services offered on Fridays.
Jones underscores the positive impact on community health, noting, “The life expectancy in our community has gone from 65 to 68 years.”
New housing developments are also reshaping Bonton’s landscape, with more than 127 new homes constructed and a 36-unit apartment complex currently underway.
“We’re building affordable housing in Bonton,” Jones states, “and we’re also going to create tourism down in Bonton.”
Plans include planting bluebonnets along the levee to attract visitors for walking and biking, enhancing the area’s appeal.
Jones believes Bonton’s transformation could be a model for change beyond the neighborhood itself, saying, “The change in Bonton is the change the world needs.”
An additional layer of revitalization is reflected in public art initiatives that have repurposed the once stark watershed gates into vibrant installations.
As visitors enter the neighborhood, they are greeted by these transformed gates, which now symbolize resilience and strength instead of industrial functionality.
District 7 Councilman Adam Bazaldua notes the aesthetic improvement, stating, “Just the mere aesthetics, the gates looked very industrial.”
Through public art initiatives, the Dallas Office of Arts and Culture is contributing to the creation of a more welcoming environment reflective of the community’s history.
Dallas Public Art Program Manager Lynn Rushton-Reed describes the transformation: “Today, these floodgates are being transformed through public art—honoring the community’s resilience and history.”
This initiative is the seventh public art installation to emerge in the Bonton neighborhood, further enriching the local culture.
Martine Elyse Philippe, director of the Office of Arts and Culture, emphasizes that art acts both as a reflection and an educational tool for the neighborhood.
Lee’s connection to Bonton runs deep, as he recalls stories from his great-grandfather, who expressed optimism about the area’s potential.
“He used to tell me, ‘This is going to be a beautiful place that will have people come here from all over,’ and I’d say, ‘Nah,’” Lee reminisces.
Today, witnessing the influx of diverse populations brings that vision to life.
“It’s amazing, it’s amazing. I can hear him now saying, ‘I told you. I told you.’”
image source from：candysdirt
