Greenspace Dallas

Greenspace Dallas (GSD) was started in 2004 by a group of dedicated individuals who believed that Dallas' urban green spaces deserved to be restored and protected for future generations. 

Goals: 

1. To champion the restoration of the Trinity River watershed, which includes vast floodplains, forests, watershed areas, feeder creeks, and canals as a thriving, natural community asset. 
2. To create responsible national park-quality access to the Great Trinity Forest, the largest urban forest in the United States, by constructing natural surface multi-use trail systems, picnic areas, and other capital improvements that provide families with easy access to the proven health and education benefits of nature.
3. To provide opportunities to educate the public and create the next generation of environmental stewards.

GSD serves the citizens of Dallas and those who live near the urban forest areas that are all adjacent to low income, racially diverse neighborhoods. 

GSD is governed by a 9-member Board of Directors and managed by an team that includes the Chief Executive Officer, Director of Community Engagement, Finance & Administration Coordinator, and 8 Trail Crew employees.

Programs

Restoration and Development

1. Removal of tons of trash, litter, debris, and invasive species from the forest and river
2. Recovering and/or rerouting existing trails
3. Design and construction of capital improvements and other amenities

Education

1. Offering a paid summer conservation experience for young people, the “Trinity River Crew”, in which GSD, partnering with the Trinity Park Conservancy, provides meaningful, conservation work experience, education, leadership skills, and professional development training to high-potential youth from historically marginalized areas along the Trinity River corridor.
2. Collaborating with the City of Dallas Code Department as Dallas revives and publicizes its Keep Dallas Beautiful efforts to keep public areas litter free.

Volunteerism

1. Each year, hundreds of volunteers – individuals, families, youth groups, schools, and businesses – give thousands of hours of their time and talent to GSD.
2. In 2022, almost 1,700 volunteers, including 380 youth, donated 5,444 hours to various GSD projects including removing over 56,000 pounds of trash and litter.

Key Achievements:

1. Restoration of 11 acres of wetlands in Hines Park, once a neglected and litter-filled greenspace and is now a sanctuary for migratory and shorebirds, native plants, and insects.  
2. Revitalization of the 110-acre Frasier Dam Recreation Area located in northwest Dallas on the banks of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River.  
3. Currently in Phase II of a 3-year redevelopment of L.B. Houston Nature Trails Recreation Area, an almost 300-acre conservancy park established in 1962.