Fifty years ago, Interstate 35E cut through the heart of Dallas’ Tenth Street Neighborhood. It displaced families and divided once-connected communities. What was meant to improve traffic flow instead created a lasting legacy of disconnection in southern Dallas.Today, the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation is helping to repair that divide.
In partnership with TxDOT, the City of Dallas, local organizations, and community leaders, the Foundation is building a new deck park over I-35E. Modeled after Klyde Warren Park, this green space will reconnect neighborhoods and offer a vibrant, accessible gathering place in southern Dallas.
The project links two of the lowest-income census tracts in the city. For decades, these neighborhoods have faced underinvestment and barriers to opportunity. As a result, the park aims to create safe pedestrian access, improve mobility, and spark new economic activity.
From the start, the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation prioritized community input. More than 500 residents, business owners, and nonprofit leaders contributed to the park’s design. Their voices guided a vision focused on inclusion, functionality, and cultural relevance.
The park will feature walking trails, play areas, and event spaces. It will serve not only as a connector but also as a celebration of community identity.
Meanwhile, construction is well underway. The park is expected to open in Spring 2026. When complete, it will stand as a powerful example of how infrastructure can bring people together—rather than keep them apart.
