Community Park at Fair Park receives $2.5M investment

Fair Park First and the Dallas Park and Recreation Department announced a $2.5 million donation Thursday from the McKesson Foundation to support the development of the new Community Park at Fair Park with a new addition bearing the foundation’s name. 

The announcement took place at City Hall with prominent community organizers and city officials, including McKesson Foundation President  Melissa Thompson, Jason Brown, CEO of Dallas City Homes, and District 7 Councilmember Adam Bazaldua. 

“Lasting change doesn’t happen alone,” Thompson said at Thursday’s press conference. “It takes organizations, leaders and communities working together for the shared purpose to invest in places and programs that truly make a difference.”

Proceeds from The McKesson Foundation, which is part of the Dallas-based healthcare company, will also support the development and activation of the McKesson Market Grove at the Community Park. Located within the park grounds, the grove will serve as a space for wellness programming, community events, education opportunities and other year-round engagements.

“The Market Grove will be a place where people gather, learn and access programs that support healthier lives and stronger communities,” Brown said. “It is a powerful example of what could happen when organizations invest in people and places.”

Councilman Bazaldua said the funding from McKesson is a crucial part of the park’s development, especially given the recent management transfer to the Park and Recreation Department. With other topics dominating the City of Dallas, Bazaldua is happy to highlight recent growth and improvements in his district.

“It’s incredible to highlight that there has continued to be momentum. Momentum has not slowed down,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of hard topics to tackle in our city recently. But one thing that’s been consistent is moving South Dallas forward in a trajectory of success and improving the quality of life for South Dallas residents.”

He also added that South Dallas residents’ continued passion for investing in their community is a bright spot as other parts of the city face challenges.

“All of these incremental changes are things working toward a bigger goal for the future of what South Dallas is,” he added. “One of the things you can’t really quantify is seeing how much various neighbors throughout South Dallas have come together for a common cause.”