The Ferguson Road Initiative (FRI), a grassroots organization, which started in 1998 with the mission “to transform far East Dallas into a safe, beautiful, prosperous and proud community,” particularly through economic revitalization, hosted a meeting last night at the Dallas Arboretum to launch the revitalization of an old vision to build the first regional or multi-generational recreation center along Ferguson.
Dozens of interested neighbors showed up to the event, and at 7 p.m. FRI president Vikki Martin opened the meeting with a brief history about the project.
In 1995, more than 150 Far East Dallas neighbors, met to talk about the lack of social services in their neighborhood, Martin recalled. This initial meeting helped kick-start the creation of the organization.
In 1998, FRI became an official 501(c)3. During FRI’s early years, it focused primarily on partnering with the City of Dallas and the Dallas police to curb crime in the area, which they successful did. “We’re really proud of that,” Martin pointed out, “because through that we were able to see quality economic development make its way over here.”
In 2006, Ferguson Road Initiative advocated and received $13.5 million in bond money to build a library and recreation center — $5 million for the recreation center, and $8.5 million for the library. The library was fast-tracked immediately and was built and dedicated in 2012.
FRI hoped to champion a multi-generational recreation center that would sit on the northern tip of the Trinity Forest Spine Trail. Then in 2008, with the global economy crash, the plans were put on pause until 2011.
At this point, even the overall concept of the recreation center is still up in the air, which brings us to the meeting last night. The primary focus of the gathering was the tap into public opinion on which concepts are most important to surrounding neighbors.
After introductions and a presentation by the project manager, Mike Pratl, the attendees of the event were given stickers and asked to vote for their most desired concepts: Fitness, multi-generation, a swimming pool, age specific activities or equipment, cultural learning opportunities, and/or outdoor activities.
“I’d love to start designing right now,” Pratl explained, “but there’s a lot of important information that we need to peel like an onion to really get to core of what this facility can be.”
For those interested in the project, on Nov. 3 there will be a three-hour workshop at the Dallas Arboretum from 6-9 p.m. to determine more specific interests.
Then on Jan. 27, there will be a presentation of the facility based on the feedback of the community, also at the Dallas Arboretum from 6-9 p.m.
