Mike Pratl, Jacobs Project Manager, runs through a gamut of highlights and key initiatives of the recreation wellness center. The typically biannual meeting was hosted by the Dallas Arboretum in Rosine Hall. Photos by Rasy Ran
It was standing room only at the Dallas Arboretum last night when Ferguson Road Initiative, the City of Dallas Parks and Rec Department, Jacobs Engineering Group and Snohetta architecture company hosted the big reveal for the White Rock Hills Recreation Center.
(Not sure what this is? Learn all the background you need to know about the White Rock Hills Rec Center in our story that ran in the December issue of Lakewood-East Dallas Advocate.)
To summarize, the grassroots organization Ferguson Road Initiative (FRI) had a vision to build a multi-generational recreation center along Ferguson Road, but it was forced to put the brakes on the project in 2008 when the economy tanked. For years, the organization has waited for the economy to stabilize in order to revitalize its dream. Now it’s full steam ahead.
Last year the City of Dallas managed to fork over $125,000 to conduct a feasibility study. More than 700 neighbors responded to a survey, blowing the standard response rate out of the water. Most survey companies are looking for about 400 responses as a good response from a community, according to one of the many speakers at last nights’ meeting.
The results from the study and the master plan for the project were revealed, although at this point the plans are more of a “design framework” — a rough draft, if you will.
The rec center will be located at Ferguson and Highland in Far East Dallas, and it will be 30,000-square-feet.
An aerial view of the property (click to enlarge)
The groups were tasked with designing something that provides social, mental, spiritual and environmental well-being.
Thus far they’re considering a project that includes a rec center, a community garden and an area designated for a partnership with the Dallas Arboretum. They’d also like to include an amphitheater, a gymnasium, a picnic area and possibly a spray garden, as well as plenty of parking and bike parking.
The design plans run diagonal across the property and feature plenty of integral architecture that blends the buildings with the natural grassy and forested elements of the property.
The concept for the community center is for it to be designed in such a way that visitors can see through it to get a view of the entire property. Depending on where neighbors stand on the property, the building should sometimes blend with the surrounding property and sometimes standout boldly. The idea for the amphitheater is that it’s a good way to utilize a natural slope on the property.
When it’s all said and done, this should be about a three-year project. There will be a meeting on Feb. 17 in which the teams will reveal the final results.
