DALLAS — The Dallas County Heritage Society is changing its name to the Old City Park Conservancy, even as its contract for management of Dallas’ first city park ends May 26.
The Dallas County Heritage Society is the nonprofit organization that has managed Old City Park for the last 50 years. The Dallas Parks and Recreation Department will take over management of the park May 27.
“For over 50 years, Dallas County Heritage Society has been steadfast in its mission to safeguard and showcase the historical significance of Old City Park. Today with the adoption of its new identity as Old City Park Conservancy, the organization reaffirms its unwavering commitment to advancing the legacy and cultural significance of Dallas’ oldest public park while also recognizing that the Park will evolve over time to serve the needs of the surrounding neighborhood and community at large,” the society said in a news release Tuesday. “The Conservancy will continue to collaborate with the City of Dallas, and community partners to ensure the ongoing stewardship and accessibility of this cherished historical park.”
Dallas County Heritage Society’s Michael Meadows previously told WFAA that continuing to operate the park at the existing contract rate had become unsustainable. Meadows said the park will undergo a master planning process before the city considers accepting proposals for a different private partner to manage the park.
“It has been our honor and privilege to manage Old City Park for over 50 years,” said Dustin Bullard, the Society’s board chair. “Although the Society will no longer manage the daily operations of this historic park, we remain committed to supporting Old City Park well into the future.”
Also ahead of the park transitioning to city control, nearly 22,000 antiques and artifacts, among other furnishings, quilts, and some non-historic items, from the park will be available to purchase during an estate sale April 29. The estate sale runs from April 29 to May 4.
"While Old City Park will no longer be registered as a museum, visitors, can expect a museum-like experience when exploring the historic buildings on the 20-acre property," said Dallas Parks and Recreation Department spokesperson Andrea Hawkins previously told WFAA. “"The Department has no plans to demolish the historic structures or sell any part of the property. Old City Park is a dedicated park land that will be maintained and used as a public park. The artifacts inside the buildings after the transition date will become property of the Department," Hawkins added.
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