Dallas leaders and civic supporters tend to overuse the term “crown jewel” in describing their pet projects or favorite parts of our city. It’s been used variously to tout downtown once revitalization is complete; the birth of the Trinity River Project; and, of course, other projects that are smaller in scale but no less significant, like the Nasher Sculpture Center.
All indeed may be worthy, and aren’t we lucky to have several in our city that may warrant such a term. But there is one contender that has stood the test of time, weathered the good and bad, been loved by many, and loathed (or perhaps just ignored) by others. The true Crown Jewel of Dallas award, in my book, goes to Fair Park.
The story goes that legendary Dallas Mayor R.L. Thornton outsmarted, outwitted, or maybe just out-financed his contemporaries in San Antonio, Austin, and Houston to land the Texas Centennial Expo in 1936. When asked whether the Centennial celebration grounds would have an esplanade, Thornton reportedly proclaimed boldly with true Dallas pride, “Not only will it have an esplanade, it will have two esplanades!” Then he quietly turned to an aide and asked, “What’s an esplanade, anyway?”
Fair Park did indeed wind up with two esplanades—known formally as the Esplanade and the Court of Honor. And, thanks to a master plan adopted by the city in 2003—and an astounding $84 million approved by voters in the 2006 bond program—the park appears to be on its way to a resurgence long-awaited by many, and much doubted by others. As “final nails” in the Fair Park coffin, detractors have pointed to Jerry Jones’ decision not to give the park a serious look for the Dallas Cowboys’ new stadium and the Cotton Bowl Classic’s subsequent decision to move its game to Arlington from the real Cotton Bowl at Fair Park.
But ask a true believer, of which there are many, and they’ll tell you that Fair Park is very much alive, with its best years yet to come. “I would beg to differ with anyone who is skeptical. There’s just way too much happening for it to not keep getting better,” says Daniel Huerta. He is assistant director for the Dallas Park and Recreation Department and Fair Park’s executive general manager—and one of those true believers. “Fair Park could truly be our Millennium Park, recognized all over the United States and all over the world for its museums, grounds, and the largest intact collection of Art Deco–style architecture in the country,” Huerta says.
Consider what’s coming:
›› Thirty million dollars has been dedicated to renovating and expanding the famous Cotton Bowl. Demolition has already started, and construction to upgrade and enclose the stadium all the way around, making for a total of 90,000 seats, was set to start at the beginning of this year.
›› Nearly $7.5 million has been set aside to restore the signature Hall of State. Work will begin in the middle of next year.
›› Arlington’s Six Flags will get some Dallas competition when Fair Park opens its Summer Place Park midway in 2010.
›› Dallas Area Rapid Transit will open its Fair Park station at the Parry Avenue Gates in time for the 2009 State Fair of Texas, where Big Tex greets visitors. A second station will be located at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
›› And, greeting visitors as they enter Fair Park will be those esplanades, also fully restored (hopefully by 2009)—complete with a water and light show and two new towering, 13-foot, Art Deco–style replica statues.
“This is the most exciting project for me,” Huerta says of the Esplanade. “It’s the most prominent location in the park, where people will enter from the light rail. It’s going to help us redefine Fair Park.”
Huerta’s enthusiasm is contagious, as is that of his counterpart, Park Department Assistant Director of Planning, Design, and Construction Willis C. Winters, who is leading much of the renovation work. Cynics beware; one gets the sense from these two that there’s some genuine momentum and real change in the works. Dollars have been dedicated, plans have been drawn, and dirt is flying on restoration, conservation, and maintenance projects all over Fair Park.
“It’s happening. You’re starting to see development around Fair Park. And, this is still home to the greatest state fair in the country, several major football games, jobs created for 11,000 people, and $400 million in economic impact every year,” Huerta says. “That’s significant for a city. This is our opportunity to really showcase Dallas and Fair Park to the world.”
As the true “crown jewel” in Dallas’ crown, Fair Park has indeed gone through some days, even years, when it was dejected and tarnished. But just watch; it’s about to shine again.
Crayton Webb is manager of government relations for Mary Kay Inc. Previously, Webb was chief of staff to Dallas Mayor Laura Miller and an investigative reporter for CBS 11.
