Residents of Old East Dallas gathered last week to celebrate the opening of a new splash pad at Work Yard Park, located near South Munger Boulevard.
The revitalization of the park and the construction of the splash pad have been significant goals for Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Moreno, representing City Council District 2.
With children playing joyfully in the cooling water, Moreno expressed his satisfaction with the project.
“Today, it’s about the kids you can see behind me, laughing, smiling, cooling off from this summer heat,” he said.
The splash pad provides a family-friendly environment where children can play safely without the concern of drowning that comes with swimming pools.
Moreno highlighted the additional benefits the splash pad offers to cyclists and runners seeking a refreshing break from the summer heat.
In his view, the splash pad stands to foster a safer neighborhood and contribute positively to community well-being by reducing crime rates.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, resident Lydia Apolinar spoke about her childhood experiences in the area.
Apolinar recounted the violence she witnessed in her youth, recalling gang disputes that made outdoor play unsafe.
“I remember growing up and literally seeing gangs fighting against each other in the middle of the street,” she remarked to the Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate.
She noted a stark contrast to the past, expressing her delight at the changes in the community and the reduced presence of gang activity in the park.
Dallas Park and Recreation Director John Jenkins emphasized the importance of parks as assets to the communities they serve.
“I’ve always said our parks have to be part of the solution and not the problem,” Jenkins stated.
He acknowledged that the Work Yard Park had previously contributed to local disturbances and unrest.
Sloan Anderson King, a special events coordinator for Dallas Park and Recreation, added that increased park usage could discourage undesirable activities.
“When it’s sitting here dormant, it’s just a place for people to come hang out and do nothing,” she explained.
This concept underscores the importance of amenities like the splash pad and nearby basketball court in attracting community engagement.
Anderson King elaborated on the typical process of park improvements, which involves collaboration between the City Council, Park and Recreation Board, and input from the community.
Moreno and Mayor Eric Johnson prioritized funding for the Work Yard Park’s revitalization, with the splash pad costing approximately $700,000 and construction beginning in April.
Notably, the splash pad is the first of its kind at a City of Dallas park and features recirculated water, distinguishing it from more costly spraygrounds.
Additional enhancements to Work Yard Park include LED lighting, surveillance cameras from the Dallas Police Department, and increased law enforcement presence, as noted by Moreno.
He recognized Mayor Johnson’s support through the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds for the splash pad project.
“As a parent myself of a young child, I know that a park that I choose to bring my family to needs to be safe and secure, and so that’s what today is about,” Moreno declared during the celebration.
He pointed out the visibility of mounted patrol and Neighborhood Patrol Officers in the park, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring a safe environment for families and visitors.
Fonya Mondell, appointed by Moreno to the Park and Recreation Board for District 2, reminisced about the importance of revitalizing Work Yard Park when she joined the board five years ago.
“We want it to be cherished and loved by the community,” Mondell affirmed at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Her lifelong connection to the area, spanning 52 years, has fueled her passion for seeing positive changes in the park.
Rudy Karimi, a Park and Recreation Board representative from District 14, acknowledged the unusual circumstances surrounding the splash pad’s inception.
“This one was purely the doing of Council member Moreno because there was a need here,” he explained.
He emphasized that the project was not part of the city’s typical needs inventory, but rather a direct result of Moreno’s prioritization and effective leadership.
Karimi expressed pride in the project’s success, noting that the splash pad stands as a testament to community effort and vision.
The newly inaugurated splash pad at Work Yard Park is free for public use and is located at 4900 Alton Avenue.
image source from：lakewood
