Dallas, Texas, January 1, 2026
Halperin Park, a new deck park in southern Dallas, is scheduled to open its first phase in spring 2026, coinciding with the FIFA World Cup. This park will serve as a vibrant community hub, reconnecting neighborhoods and enhancing cultural engagement. Designed to reflect Oak Cliff’s heritage, it will feature amenities such as a playground, amphitheater, and community spaces, while aiming to bridge divides caused by urban development. With over $200 million raised for construction, the park represents a significant investment in community infrastructure.
Halperin Park Set to Transform Southern Dallas by 2026
A New Community Hub for Dallas, Featuring a FIFA World Cup Event
Dallas, Texas – A major development in southern Dallas, Halperin Park is on schedule to open its first phase in spring 2026, coinciding with the FIFA World Cup matches set for that summer. This vibrant new deck park will create a unique gathering space that promotes culture and community, all while bridging the divide that the construction of Interstate 35E imposed on the Oak Cliff neighborhood.
The achievement of local organizers in bringing Halperin Park to fruition exemplifies the positive outcomes of community initiative and involved citizenship. As construction progresses, it highlights the significant role of private partnerships and civic engagement in fostering connections across Dallas.
Park Features and Development Plans
Spanning over Interstate 35E, Halperin Park’s design honors the historic Blackland Prairie ecosystem of Oak Cliff with a playground designed to resemble a treehouse. The park will also offer a band shell, amphitheater, water features, and a versatile community building suitable for food vendors and neighborhood meetings. The estimated $122 million cost for its initial phase has already garnered substantial financial backing, with over $200 million raised toward the overall projected cost of $300 million.
Upon its completion, the park will stretch from South Ewing to South Marsalis avenues, with the second phase, including a tunnel under the park, projected to take an additional four to five years to finish. To cover the remaining construction and operational costs, the foundation is actively seeking an additional $20 million.
Community Engagement and Major Events
The park is anticipated to serve not only as a recreational space but also as a cultural gathering point. Plans for a community event during the FIFA World Cup aim to engage residents and celebrate the diverse culture of Dallas, coinciding with the city hosting nine matches during the tournament—the most of any city involved.
Such initiatives underscore the strategic importance of investing in community infrastructure to cultivate local identity and pride, enhancing the tourist experience while reinforcing neighborhood connections.
Historical Context and Reconnecting Communities
Halperin Park seeks to address the historical wounds caused by the construction of major highways that have fractured neighborhoods and displaced communities. Aiming to reconnect all residents of Oak Cliff to each other and to downtown Dallas, this new green space is designed to foster inclusivity and cultural engagement, nurturing a sense of belonging that has been lost to urban development.
Design Insights and Construction Features
This initiative follows the successful model of Klyde Warren Park, the first urban deck park in Dallas, which transformed public spaces and supported community events. Halperin Park’s design incorporates practical elements, such as a turnaround off the access road to facilitate food trucks and services, while promoting a natural aesthetic enriched with pollinator-friendly plants. The thoughtful landscaping is designed to reflect Oak Cliff’s lush environment, enhancing both visual appeal and ecological responsibility.
Dallas and the FIFA World Cup 2026
As anticipation builds for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Dallas is preparing for significant international attention. Hosting nine matches is expected to position the city prominently on a global stage. This event offers an opportunity to showcase not only sports but also community spaces like Halperin Park, reflecting the rich cultural diversity that Dallas represents.
Conclusion
The forthcoming opening of Halperin Park and its connections to key events, such as the FIFA World Cup, accentuate the commitment to revitalizing southern Dallas through community-focused development. As residents and visitors alike prepare to engage with this unique space, there is optimism for the park to become a central hub for collaboration, celebration, and reconnection in Oak Cliff.
FAQ
What is Halperin Park?
Halperin Park is a new deck park in southern Dallas, designed to serve as a gathering space that connects culture and community atop the freeway, inviting visitors to learn about Oak Cliff.
When is Halperin Park expected to open?
The first phase of Halperin Park is expected to open in spring 2026, with plans to host a community event during the FIFA World Cup matches scheduled for summer 2026.
What amenities will Halperin Park offer?
Halperin Park will feature a playground designed to resemble a treehouse, a band shell, an amphitheater, water features, and a flexible community building that can host food vendors or neighborhood meetings.
How is Halperin Park funded?
More than $200 million has been raised for Halperin Park, with the foundation seeking an additional $20 million to complete construction of the first phase and fund the park’s startup operations. The overall estimated cost for the entire park is $300 million.
What is the historical significance of Halperin Park?
The construction of the freeway in the past divided Oak Cliff, disconnecting communities from downtown Dallas and displacing homes belonging to people of color. Halperin Park aims to serve as a bridge between neighborhoods, reconnecting communities and providing a space for cultural and community engagement.
How does Halperin Park relate to the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Dallas is set to host nine matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026, more than any other host city. Halperin Park plans to host a community event during the summer, coinciding with North Texas hosting FIFA World Cup matches, showcasing the city’s cultural and community spaces during the tournament.
Key Features of Halperin Park
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Above Interstate 35E in southern Dallas, spanning from South Ewing to South Marsalis avenues upon completion. |
| Amenities | Playground resembling a treehouse, band shell, amphitheater, water features, and a flexible community building for food vendors or neighborhood meetings. |
| Opening Date | First phase expected to open in spring 2026, with plans for a community event during the FIFA World Cup matches in summer 2026. |
| Funding | Over $200 million raised; seeking an additional $20 million to complete the first phase and fund startup operations. Total estimated cost is $300 million. |
| Design Inspiration | Reflects Oak Cliff’s Blackland Prairie ecosystem with pollinator-friendly foliage and a natural aesthetic; incorporates lessons from Klyde Warren Park, including a wide turnaround for food trucks and health resources. |
| Historical Significance | Aims to reconnect communities divided by the construction of the freeway, serving as a bridge between neighborhoods and providing a space for cultural and community engagement. |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | Dallas to host nine matches during the tournament; Halperin Park plans to host a community event during the summer, coinciding with North Texas hosting FIFA World Cup matches, showcasing the city’s cultural and community spaces during the tournament. |
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Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
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