Dallas City Council’s Jesse Moreno Promises That Old City Park Will Remain a Park, But What About Everything Else?

Thursday night, an extremely well-attended public meeting was held at Old City Park’s historic Browder Springs Hall on the transition of the park’s management, operation, and future. 

Dallas City Council’s District 2 representative Jesse Moreno kicked the evening off with a few stories about his relationship with the park, which included being married at Pilot Grove Church. He assured the assembled group that there would be no condos, no townhomes, and no high-rises developed on parkland. This should put some rumors to rest for those concerned that the new convention center and deck park meant developers would find a way around rules and descend on the park.

“We need to find a way to ensure we are bringing adequate resources to Old City Park,” Moreno said. “The Dallas City Council approved the largest park funding in the history of Dallas recently. Unfortunately, we did not have a solid assessment plan for funding at Old City Park. The good news is I have funds through the district that I can allocate for Old City Park. A number of my colleagues have reached out and expressed interest in doing the same.”

This is one of the most significant points made. Remember, this is not simply a park in District 2. This is the oldest park in Dallas, dating back to 1876. It is a park for everyone in Dallas, and we all need to ensure each of our district representatives devotes funding to it or it’s going to be very tricky to finance all of the things that need to be done.

A Discussion on Funding Old City Park

The evening was remarkably civilized, even with some necessary and pointed questions being asked. Dallas native Terri Raith, who lives in a historic 106-year-old home, asked one of the important questions of the evening that, unfortunately, went unanswered.

“Who missed the deadline to ask for funding for Old City Park and why?” Raith asked. She also brought up the artifacts inside the buildings. “We need money for the preservation of the artifacts. Why can’t a city the size and age of Dallas preserve its historic items?”

Other audience members echoed Raith’s sentiments about Old City Park being a living historic park and wanting it to remain that way, with both buildings and their artifacts kept in place and the beloved donkeys, Waylon and Willie, being returned.

While we won’t see the donkeys returned, there was mention of future programming where animals would be brought in for particular educational events.  

What of The Dallas County Heritage Society?

The Dallas County Heritage Society (DCHS) has run the park for 51 years. Their contract is ending and they own the 22,000 artifacts inside Old City Park, including furnishings, artwork, and horse-drawn carriages.

Since my article on Jan. 26 about the lack of communication regarding the future of the historic building and the artifacts within them, the parks department and DCHS have been communicating and making progress. It appears some buildings will be left furnished.

I say, appears because nothing has been put in writing yet.

What has been put in writing and initiated by Evelyn Montgomery, Ph. D. — director of collections, exhibits, and preservation at Old City Park for 15 years — is the landmarking of Old City Park.

“The initiation process means we start writing the history and the rules,” Montgomery said. “We had our first meeting last night and presented our ideas of how to balance the needs of the park, its history, and the future. That process will continue. It will take 2-3 more months to finish the document. It then goes to the Landmark Commission and then eventually to the city council. It’s already protected.”

So what’s happening right now?

SWA Consultants are conducting a thorough assessment of the buildings and grounds to result in a master plan. By the spring of 2026, a new management partner will hopefully be named to operate the park.

That leaves a bit of a gap, of course, and it will be up to the Parks Department to continue to maintain the park, the buildings, the artifacts, and the programming. It was clear that everyone present last night had a genuine affection for and connection with Old City Park. There is a real desire to have Candlelight continue at Christmas and to continue educational programs.

While having green space is critical, citizens also want the historic building and their artifacts to stay as well. So is it possible?

“The Parks Department believes in preservation, but we do want to make sure the history is inclusive as well,” Jenkins said. “We appreciate all the work DCHS has done. In particular, I appreciate DCHS Interim CEO Michael Meadows. We will still be in consultation with the DCHS. Everyone is committed to Old City Park being an open park.”

But what will happen in the interim?

“Now that it is under the Parks Department, I can leverage resources, and I can help stabilize the historic buildings. It’s on me,” Jenkins said. “The buck stops with me.”  

And the buck stops with us. If we don’t get involved and support Old City Park, we cannot complain about what happens there.

Call and email your city councilperson. Here is the link. Call and email your parks board representative here. Call and email your Parks Board Leadership. Get involved.