The Trinity River has been an untapped natural resource for generations and now is being transformed into a true asset, bringing together communities and nature. After the great flood of 1908, George Kessler led a plan to move the river away from downtown and to the west, building levees to protect Dallas from future flooding. Since then, Dallas has grown up all around the river with little interaction. The Trinity Park Conservancy champions the transformation of the Trinity River to become the heart of Dallas. With the community, we will design public spaces that unite us, enrich people’s lives through access to nature, create economic development opportunities, and inspire protection for the river ecosystems in this shared natural treasure. The first project within the Trinity River Corridor Plan, is Harold Simmons Park, which invites all of Dallas to Reimagine Our River as a wellspring of connection – to nature, to one another and to new opportunities shared across our neighborhoods. This new feature includes a naturalized river landscape, elevated urban parks, hard- and soft-surfaced trails, and places for people to gather, walk in nature, and celebrate community—all while maintaining the river’s role in protecting the city in case of flooding.
| Infrastructure Type | Waterfront / Waterway |
| Status | Advocacy & Design |
| Opening | Summer 2022 |
| Size | 200 acres |
| Design Team | Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, LimnoTech |
| Management | Managed by Trinity Park Conservancy in partnership with the Trinity River Corridor LGC and the City of Dallas |
| Project Leader | Tony Moore |
Steering Committee Member
Decades of redlining and urban renewal, rooted in racist planning and design policies, created the conditions for gentrification to occur in American cities. But the primary concern with gentrification today is displacement, which primarily impacts marginalized communities shaped by a history of being denied access to mortgages.
By all accounts, Tulsa’s riverfront project is a smashing success. Can Tony Moore work that same magic between the levees here?
The pandemic quickly shifted most community engagement to virtual arrangements, but not all citizens have ready access to online forums. Public officials can address inequities by finding alternative ways to gather valuable community input.
