Dallas, October 10, 2025
News Summary
Construction on the Bushmills Neighborhood Green in Dallas has commenced, covering 5.4 acres and part of the city’s effort to enhance public park access. This project is part of the larger Dallas Greening Initiative, ensuring more parks are within a 10-minute walk for residents. The initiative includes the input of local communities and highlights features such as trails, benches, and native landscaping, aiming to serve over 54,000 residents in the area.
Dallas — Major construction begins on new neighborhood park
Construction on the Bushmills Neighborhood Green started in mid-August. The community park spans 5.4 acres and is located at 10600 Black Walnut Dr., on the Jackson Branch of White Rock Creek. The project is the first construction phase under a larger city effort to increase park access for residents.
What the project is and who is leading it
The park is part of the Dallas Greening Initiative, a citywide effort to ensure every Dallas resident is within a 10-minute walk of a park. This effort began three years ago, focusing on identifying and utilizing vacant city-owned land. The Dallas Greening Initiative is led by Garrett Boone, in collaboration with the Trust for Public Land. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson prioritized the creation of more recreational green spaces during his tenure.
Site selection and early actions
A total of 2,800 parcels of city-owned land were examined to identify potential park sites. Among these parcels, 15 sites were identified, and work commenced on five parks shortly after. The Bushmills Neighborhood Green is the first park to enter the construction phase, and construction on the remaining four parks is expected to begin next year, with planning for subsequent cohorts soon after.
Where the first cohort will be built
Other parks in the first cohort include sites at High Vista Drive and Marsh Lane, Lake June Road, Cotillion Drive, and Echo Lake Drive. These parks are in areas where between 2,000 and 4,000 residents currently lack accessible parks within a 10-minute walk.
Funding, costs and maintenance
The total budget for the five parks is approximately $2.5 million, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and donations from the Lyda Hill Foundation and the Meadows Foundation. The overall cost of the greening project is estimated at $10.25 million, averaging about $750,000 per park. Each park is designed to minimize maintenance costs, allocating 10% of the capital budget for upkeep. Volunteer groups from the neighborhood will be formed to support park maintenance.
Design, community input and timeline
Community engagement began two years ago, with meetings including a pop-up park organized by Better Block to gather residents’ input. Residents initially expressed concerns about increased public access but became optimistic upon realizing their ideas would influence park design. The final park design includes trails, benches, picnic areas, wildlife viewing stations, and a pond for stormwater management and habitat restoration. The landscaping will feature native plants and a pollinator garden. Councilmember Kathy Stewart emphasized the importance of simple, practical amenities based on community requests. Residents reported increased community connection and involvement through the park planning process.
Significance and expected impact
The initiative is particularly significant as it coincides with National Walk to a Park Day. Completion timelines for the parks are set for five years, ultimately impacting over 54,000 Dallas residents. The phased approach aims to expand access incrementally while keeping long-term maintenance manageable.
Next steps
Construction on the Bushmills site will continue while city planners prepare follow-up projects and outreach for subsequent cohorts. Continued funding and community volunteer participation are expected to shape both the timeline and final amenities for each park.
FAQ
When did construction start on the Bushmills Neighborhood Green?
Construction on the Bushmills Neighborhood Green started in mid-August.
How large is the Bushmills Neighborhood Green and where is it located?
The community park spans 5.4 acres and is located at 10600 Black Walnut Dr., on the Jackson Branch of White Rock Creek.
What larger initiative is the park part of?
The park is part of the Dallas Greening Initiative, a citywide effort to ensure every Dallas resident is within a 10-minute walk of a park.
When did the greening effort begin and what did it focus on?
This effort began three years ago, focusing on identifying and utilizing vacant city-owned land.
Who leads the Dallas Greening Initiative?
The Dallas Greening Initiative is led by Garrett Boone, in collaboration with the Trust for Public Land.
How many parcels were examined to find park sites?
A total of 2,800 parcels of city-owned land were examined to identify potential park sites.
How many sites were identified and how many parks began work?
Among these parcels, 15 sites were identified, and work commenced on five parks shortly after.
What is the budget for the first five parks and who funded it?
The total budget for the five parks is approximately $2.5 million, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and donations from the Lyda Hill Foundation and the Meadows Foundation.
What is the overall projected cost of the greening project?
The overall cost of the greening project is estimated at $10.25 million, averaging about $750,000 per park.
How will maintenance be handled?
Each park is designed to minimize maintenance costs, allocating 10% of the capital budget for upkeep.
Will local residents help maintain the parks?
Volunteer groups from the neighborhood will be formed to support park maintenance.
Which park entered construction first?
The Bushmills Neighborhood Green is the first park to enter the construction phase.
When will construction begin on the remaining parks?
Construction on the remaining four parks is expected to begin next year, with planning for subsequent cohorts soon after.
How did the community contribute to planning?
Community engagement began two years ago, with meetings including a pop-up park organized by Better Block to gather residents’ input.
How did residents respond during planning?
Residents initially expressed concerns about increased public access but became optimistic upon realizing their ideas would influence park design.
What features are included in the final park design?
The final park design includes trails, benches, picnic areas, wildlife viewing stations, and a pond for stormwater management and habitat restoration.
What landscaping will the parks include?
The landscaping will feature native plants and a pollinator garden.
What did local officials request for park amenities?
Councilmember Kathy Stewart emphasized the importance of simple, practical amenities based on community requests.
Have residents reported any effects from the planning process?
Residents reported increased community connection and involvement through the park planning process.
Is the initiative tied to any national observance?
The initiative is particularly significant as it coincides with National Walk to a Park Day.
What is the expected long-term impact and timeline?
Completion timelines for the parks are set for five years, ultimately impacting over 54,000 Dallas residents.
Where are the other parks in the first cohort located?
Other parks in the first cohort include sites at High Vista Drive and Marsh Lane, Lake June Road, Cotillion Drive, and Echo Lake Drive.
What populations are being targeted by the first cohort?
These parks are in areas where between 2,000 and 4,000 residents currently lack accessible parks within a 10-minute walk.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Park name | Bushmills Neighborhood Green |
| Construction start | Construction on the Bushmills Neighborhood Green started in mid-August. |
| Size and location | The community park spans 5.4 acres and is located at 10600 Black Walnut Dr., on the Jackson Branch of White Rock Creek. |
| Initiative | The park is part of the Dallas Greening Initiative, a citywide effort to ensure every Dallas resident is within a 10-minute walk of a park. |
| Parcels examined | A total of 2,800 parcels of city-owned land were examined to identify potential park sites. |
| Sites identified / parks started | Among these parcels, 15 sites were identified, and work commenced on five parks shortly after. |
| Budget for five parks | The total budget for the five parks is approximately $2.5 million, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and donations from the Lyda Hill Foundation and the Meadows Foundation. |
| Overall project cost | The overall cost of the greening project is estimated at $10.25 million, averaging about $750,000 per park. |
| Maintenance approach | Each park is designed to minimize maintenance costs, allocating 10% of the capital budget for upkeep; volunteer groups from the neighborhood will be formed to support park maintenance. |
| Design highlights | The final park design includes trails, benches, picnic areas, wildlife viewing stations, and a pond for stormwater management and habitat restoration; the landscaping will feature native plants and a pollinator garden. |
| Timeline & impact | Completion timelines for the parks are set for five years, ultimately impacting over 54,000 Dallas residents. |
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Additional Resources
- D Magazine: Work on Dallas’s Newest Park Begins in Lake Highlands
- Lake Highlands Advocate: Construction on Bushmills Road
- NBC DFW: Dallas’ 15 Vacant Lots for New Parks
- Dallas News: We Recommend in the Race for Dallas City Council District 10
- Wikipedia: Dallas
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