Effective May 27, 2024, management of Old City Park will transition to the Park Department. Recognizing the need for continued advocacy, our Board of Trustees decided to change our assumed name from Old City Park to Old City Park Conservancy. While Dallas County Heritage Society remains our legal name, we will operate under the new name and website address, oldcityparkconservancy.org. Our updated mission statement emphasizes our commitment to advocating for and supporting Old City Park.
We deeply appreciate the support of our volunteers, board members, staff, and financial backers throughout this journey. As we navigate these changes, your continued dedication and commitment to Old City Park are invaluable. We encourage you to join us in advocating for and providing financial support to ensure the park’s preservation and accessibility for future generations.
Our management agreement with the City of Dallas officially expired on May 26, 2023. Despite a one-year extension, the agreement could not be prolonged further without undergoing a public bid process known as a “request for proposals” (RFP). The Park Department will oversee this process after conducting a full master planning process to determine the future management of Old City Park. During this interim period, expected to last 18-36 months, the Park Department will manage the park.
As we shift focus from museum operation to advocacy, our membership program has been updated. Donors contributing $100 or more annually to Old City Park Conservancy will automatically become members. All members will be invited to participate in our Annual Meeting and the election of our Board of Trustees, starting in May.
The mission of Old City Park Conservancy is to advocate for and provide support to Old City Park so that visitors can connect with the past, inspire the future, and celebrate Dallas’s rich diversity in Dallas’s first and oldest public park. This new mission statement makes it clear that our commitment to Old City Park remains as strong as ever.