Southern Dallas now boasts a vibrant, 40-acre park named in honor of the late Judge Charles R. Rose, a beloved local leader.
The Judge Charles R. Rose Community Park transformed an expansive, long-vacant parcel of land into a green space featuring walking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas and welcoming spaces to connect with nature. The park is a result of a public-private partnership between the city of Dallas and the national nonprofit Trust for Public Land, with from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
On the sunny and humming Saturday morning kids pushed each other on the swings in the background, and city and state officials delivered speeches about Judge Rose and his years of service. They talked about how he looked after his community, especially the Highland Hills neighborhood where the park is located. Rose, a longtime justice of the peace, died in April 2019.
“Our family is deeply moved by the outpouring of for my father’s legacy,” said state Rep. Toni Rose, D-Dallas, Judge Rose’s daughter.
“My dad dedicated his life to uplifting Highland Hills, and this park reflects the heart of his work — bringing people together, advocating for dignity and opportunity, and ensuring our community has the resources to thrive. This space will be a living tribute to his vision of unity, service, and justice.”
Molly Morgan, the Texas state director for Trust for Public Land, announced the Greener Dallas Greater Dallas Campaign launch. The $100 million public-private campaign aims to expand parks citywide.
The campaign will further expand the trust’s efforts to create 18 parks with 17 miles of trails and 283 acres of preserved wilderness.
This year, Dallas received a ParkScore of 61.2 out of 100, placing it 34th nationally and second-best in Texas. Plano ranks in first place. About 81% of residents now live within a 10-minute walk of a park, up from 54% in 2016.
The Judge Charles R. Rose Community Park is part of a network of green spaces and trails that the nonprofit plans along Five Mile Creek. The creek arcs across this half of the city from Red Bird to where it flows into the Trinity River near the Joppa Preserve.
During the ceremony, Judge Rose’s family, including his widow and grandchildren, sat in the front row and helped cut the ribbon. They thanked the crowd for coming to honor him and ing how he always put his community first.
Days before the ceremony, Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins spoke to The Dallas Morning News about how the grand opening ceremony was a full circle moment for him as he prepares to step down as Dallas’ District 8 council member after almost 20 years of service.
Atkins recalled when Judge Rose ran against him for City Council in 2007. Atkins beat him. Despite starting as political rivals, they eventually became close friends. After the election, Rose consistently endorsed Atkins’ campaigns and ed his work in Highland Hills and southern Dallas. They collaborated on community projects.
Other official leaders in the crowd included council Paula Blackmon, Jesse Moreno, and Gay Donnel Willis; Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price and state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas.
“It takes a partnership to get things done,” West said. “Doesn’t matter whether you’re Black, white, brown, purple or pink.”
A community celebration
Hundreds of people enjoyed the new amenities and special activities, including face painting for children, a lunch provided by Cafe Momentum, entertainment by a DJ and professional family portraits.
“This space is a blessing,” said Rosa Parache, a Highland Hills resident.
Parache has four kids, including two teenagers who love to run and ride their bikes. She was always worried about her kids playing on the street, but the park now offers them a place to play and exercise. She is also excited about the types of events and activities that will take place in the park.
“One thing about my dad, he was always like, ‘Toni, the kids need something to do,’” said Rep. Rose.
During the process of deciding what was going to be in the park, community voices led the way. “Parks should reflect the people who use them,” Morgan said.
In 2019, Trust for Public Land raised $3.7 million to purchase the undeveloped 40-acre property in Highland Hills. The park is within a mile of Paul Quinn College and two Dallas ISD campuses, serving more than 3,500 nearby residents and 4,000 area students.
With the Trust for Public Land, Lynn McBee, a community donor, who was involved in the process, said green spaces aim to reduce community isolation and provide mental health benefits through access to nature.
The park has the State Farm Good Neighbor outdoor classroom, which includes a pavilion, free Wi-Fi, solar-powered lighting and nature-based infrastructure. Some examples of the infrastructure are the Blackland prairie restoration, a rain garden and permeable paving, made possible through collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Greenspace Dallas.
It also includes the largest all-abilities playground in southern Dallas to date.
Rep. Rose announced during the ceremony that she secured $5 million for park maintenance through the recent legislative session to keep up with the amenities.
During the ceremony, multiple leaders emphasized the area as a community space, but the community must play a role in ensuring it stays safe and clean for everyone.
Mayor Pro Tem Atkins said the park’s purpose is to foster a sense of belonging and legacy for Judge Rose and the entire community that has worked to improve southern Dallas for future generations.