Three-year old CJ Reynolds enjoys a day in the park (Louis DeLuca/Dallas Morning News)
Klyde Warren Park received a big national award Tuesday — as far as park officials are concerned, the biggest.
“This is a very big deal,” said Tara Green, the park’s president. “We call it the Oscar of the Park World, and we’re honored that Klyde Warren Park was selected.”
The 2014 Urban Open Space Award was announced at the Urban Land Institute’s annual meeting in New York City. The institute awards the $10,000 annual prize on the basis of a park’s impact on the surrounding city, especially its adjacent neighborhood.
“Klyde Warren is not only successful in fixing an urban fracture that isolated development and challenged the existing potential for the area; it also demonstrates that a long-term vision and commitment are critical to foster a sense of place and community,” said M. Leanne Lachman, who chaired the award jury.
Wednesday marks the second anniversary of the 5.2-acre park built over Woodall Rodgers Freeway. The park has proved wildly popular and is credited with reviving the northern edge of downtown and serving as a bridge to Uptown.
Klyde Warren Park beat out four other finalists. They are Columbus Commons and Scioto Mile in Columbus, Ohio; Guthrie Green in Tulsa, Okla.; the Railyard Park and Plaza in Santa Fe. N.M., and Washington Park in Cincinnati.