Scott Stewart has been named executive director of the planned community park that’s coming to HALL Park in Frisco. He brings exceptional experience to the role, previously serving as executive director of the Millennium Park Foundation in Chicago. There, he oversaw a $10 million annual budget and $20 million in fundraising gifts and grants and more than $2 million in annual donations since 2016.
Prior to that he was director of Millennium Park’s Lurie Garden and, before that, manager of the Oak Park Conservatory in Oak Park, Illinois. He earned a B.S. in biology and chemistry from Illinois College and a Ph.D. in environmental horticulture from the University of Florida.
Owned by the City of Frisco, the park will be operated by Communities Foundation of Texas. “Dr. Stewart is the right leader with passion, deep experience, and expertise to make this park a destination for all to enjoy,” said Dave Scullin, CFT’s president and CEO.
The 5.7-acre green space in HALL Park is under construction and slated for completion in the fall of 2023. Stewart, who will step into his new role on April 1, will oversee finances, fundraising, donor relations, daily operations, special events, and year-round programming.
Designed by OJB Landscape Architecture, the company that also designed Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, the Frisco park will include an 18,000-square-foot children’s park, a 6,500-square-foot dog park, event lawn, performance pavilion, interactive water features, and a rain garden. It will also feature jogging trails and pickleball courts, as well as a collection of permanent and rotating art pieces—for which HALL Park is known.
“Scott’s experience in managing major urban public parks will be a huge asset,” said Craig Hall, founder and chairman of HALL Group. “The Frisco community and all of North Texas will greatly benefit from his leadership.”
Future development plans at HALL Park also include a performing arts center, a public-private partnership between HALL Group, the City of Frisco, and Frisco ISD.
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