Dallas just opened a $300 million park built directly on top of 14 lanes of busy interstate highway. Halperin Park sits above I-35E traffic and includes playgrounds, a splash pad, concert space, and walking paths.
This isn’t just about creating green space. The highway originally destroyed a thriving Black community in the Oak Cliff neighborhood back in the 1950s. Now the park is literally bridging that divide.
Fixing Old Mistakes
When I-35E was built, it carved through Oak Cliff like many highways did to minority neighborhoods across America. Decades of disinvestment followed, splitting communities that once thrived together.
The new park reconnects streets that were cut off and gives residents access to amenities their neighborhood lost. But designers didn’t just impose their vision. They spent months asking locals what they actually wanted – more shade, better school access, and places for families to gather.
The 2.8-acre space mixes practical and fun. Kids can play while parents relax on the big lawn. The concert shell will host performances. An elevated walkway gives visitors views of downtown Dallas they’ve never had before.
What’s Next
Dallas already proved this concept works with Klyde Warren Park downtown in 2012. If Halperin Park succeeds, expect more cities to consider building parks over highways instead of just building more highways. It’s expensive, but it’s one way to heal neighborhoods that interstate construction broke apart decades ago.
