Promise Takes Root in Dallas' Newest Park

"Tom Baker, chairman of the city's Park and Recreation Board, said that, ironically enough, it was economic interests that committed people to building new downtown parks.

He recalled the city's loss of Boeing's headquarters to Chicago in 2001 as a major turning point.

'It was a wake-up call for a lot of things,' he said.

The quality of life, particularly cultural life, in downtown Dallas couldn't compare to Chicago. And the city's business benefits in terms of lower cost of living and cheaper workforce didn't close the gap.

Since the loss of Boeing, Dallas has made a lot of progress, most notably in the arts districts.

Now, with the opening of Main Street Garden, the parks piece is falling into place. Main Street Garden's opening will be followed with Belo Garden in 2011, the Woodall Rodgers Deck Park in 2012, and the still unfunded Pacific Plaza at a date uncertain."