Community parks with a playground, walking trail and outdoor classroom are opening at Reinhardt Elementary and five other Dallas ISD schools later this month.
The Cool School park will open to the public May 26 at Reinhardt Elementary, 10122 Losa Drive. It will be available for community use after school hours and on the weekends. The other outdoor spaces are located at David G. Burnet Elementary, John Ireland Elementary, Frank Guzick Elementary, Salazar Elementary and PL Prep at Sam Houston Elementary.
The park is a product of the Cool School program, a partnership consisting of the Texas Trees Foundation, the Trust for Public Land, Dallas ISD and the Dallas Park and Recreation Department. The goals of the program are to provide park access to neighbors living in park deserts, provide shade and promote outdoor education.
East Dallas’ first Cool School park was built at Dan D. Rogers Elementary. It opened in May 2019. Another is in the works at Mockingbird Elementary, with a completion date scheduled for fall 2021.
Each Cool School park has a playground, loop trail, outdoor classroom, art mural and up to 100 newly planted trees. students will enjoy during school hours and the surrounding community will have access to after school and on the weekends.
“The Cool School program is truly a collaborative process that ensures each outdoor space is unique and reflects [a] school’s identity and needs,” Cool School manager Samantha Bradley said. “Teachers, administrators and students were essential in providing input on all aspects of the program, such as creating the landscape design, selecting amenities and developing educational opportunities.”
