Turtle Creek Park
Founders Garden Club of Dallas, Zone IX
01/01/2025
Thousands of years ago, according to archeological finds, the Turtle Creek Park was inhabited by native Americans and reflects our Dallas history. Beloved, the Park is an important green space in an increasingly densely populated area for both people and wildlife.
Serving as a green oasis through generations, The Turtle Creek Park is now surrounded by mid-rise buildings and connects with downtown Dallas via the popular Katy Trail. 2014 brought a significant grant allowing the Katy Trail access into the beautiful Park. With more than 2 million Trail visitors, the Park has seen a dramatic increase in usage since then. Over 16,000 people now live within walking distance of The Turtle Creek Park.
Not only does Founders Garden Club of Dallas often have meetings here, underprivileged children learn how to fish, do scavenger hunts and are taught about nature and our eco-system through special summer programming and camps at the Park. Not to mention the concerts, lectures and special events also held here.
On the evening of Monday, May 27th/early morning of May 28th, Dallas experienced two storm complexes which created derecho straight line winds of 70-90mph. Almost half a million Dallasites lost power as a result of these storms. The Turtle Creek Park lost many mature trees and limbs, and suffered flood damage and trash infiltration.
The Restoration Initiative funds will cover the cost of two trees, excavation and care ($5,000 for each tree) totaling $10,000.
One tree will be planted behind the Pavilion which is a focal point of the Park and the other along Turtle Creek near Arlington Hall. The timing of the funds will determine the schedule for planting the two trees.
