September 2020 photo of the stone tables at White Rock Lake. Photo courtesy of the Dallas Park and Recreation Department.
White Rock Lake Conservancy is working on improving the “park within the park,” and the nonprofit is asking for donations on or before North Texas Giving Day, Sept. 18.
“Your donation goes toward ongoing improvements in White Rock Lake Park, which consists of over nine miles of trails, several boat clubs, picnic areas, rental facilities and a dog park,” according to a press release from the conservancy. “Over 2 million people a year visit the park from all over the state and country yet it is considered a City park and is maintained by the Dallas Park and Recreation Department. Due to budget constraints, the park department can’t fund all the improvements necessary to keep the park vital for years to come. The conservancy works with the park department to identify, develop and fundraise for crucial improvements at White Rock Lake Park.”
The conservancy’s current project is for a new, inclusive playground and green space at the Stone Tables picnic area, which was also last year’s North Texas Giving Day project. This will also include resting places for runners, bikers and others in the park.
“We are excited to share the plans for the playground with the community and hope to gain new donors through North Texas Giving Day. We have funded several smaller projects this year, including partial funding of the two new marquees at park entrances and the purchase of six new e-bikes for the police that patrol White Rock Lake Park,” White Rock Lake Conservancy Executive Director Jennifer Hoesterey said in the press release. “We are still working to raise all the funds for the playground which will include three age-based play areas, a shade structure, benches and over 60 new trees and more grasses in the area. Naming rights are available for the playground, visit our site or email me to learn how.”
Years ago, White Rock Lake Conservancy gave the park department $15,000 to rebuild the first two of the 13 stone tables as a test run prior to the larger renovation project, according to a previous Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate article. The tables and pavilion were built by the City in 1931 and were White Rock Lake’s first picnic area.
The conservancy hopes to raise $80,000 from 200 donors this year, according to the press release. Donations made via the North Texas Giving Day website will be channeled toward the Stone Tables playground.
You can find other organizations near East Dallas to donate to on North Texas Giving Day here. This includes (not limited to) New Friends New Life, East Dallas Arts District, Ferguson Road Initiative, Nexus Family Recovery Center, Constellation of Living Memorials and Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated with clarified information.
