Judge Charles R. Rose Community Park Opening Celebration
A community’s vision realized
The Highland Hills community recently came together to celebrate the grand opening of the brand-new, Judge Charles R. Rose Community Park — a park envisioned, shaped, and built hand-in-hand with local residents. Situated in the heart of Southern Dallas, this park stands not only as a space for outdoor joy, but as a symbol of collective resilience, shared history, and future hope.
Honoring a legacy of service
Named in honor of long-time community leader Judge Charles R. Rose, who served for many years as a justice of the peace for the Highland Hills neighborhood, the park will provide countless people the opportunity to build community and find joy in the outdoors. Access to the outdoors is a fundamental human need, and all communities are stronger, healthier, and more connected when everyone can get outside.
Of service to his family, community, and faith, Judge Charles R. Rose inspired a sense of belonging in all those he came into contact with. In the spirit of community, Judge Charles R. Rose Community Park is a physical manifestation of his desire to foster relationships through interaction and discourse amongst Dallas’s residents. Through an extensive community-driven process, Judge Charles R. Rose Park reflects the wants, needs, and aspirations of its vibrant Southern Dallas community. Through this process, the community, so faithfully served by Judge Rose, came together to celebrate his life, recognize his contributions, and ensure the park embodies his legacy of service to others.
The four tenets of this community-centered park
From early visioning to final design, residents identified four guiding values that the park should embody:
Unity – The creation of the Unity Trail connects visitors to park amenities and reinforces the power of one community with many voices – connected through the journey of life experiences.
Reunion – The creation of family plazas creates multiple opportunities to gather and break bread with others, bringing the opportunity for discourse and celebration for residents of Highland Hills and Southern Dallas.
Nature – Natural gardens and refurbishment of the park’s natural features and amenities tie communities the land – cultivated to engage the senses and so too a sense of adventure and healing.
Access – Park access for all creates opportunities for all.
Unity and Reunion are metaphors for not only family but community. Whether it is traversing a pathway or gathering at a family plaza, park visitors will unite and engage with each other and nature.
Reclaiming the Blackland Prairie: a park that heals land and people
Vibrant and verdant, natural areas will support a diverse ecosystem for park visitors to experience. A reestablished Blackland Prairie, overlook, and landscape buffers will foster natural habitat and improve site water quality. Dallas is located on the Blackland Prairie, a region known for its rich, dark soil that supports a wide diversity of grasses and wildflowers. The Blackland Prairie is part of the history and heritage of Texas, but unfortunately less than one percent of Black Land Prairie habitat remains in the state due to urbanization and development, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife. By re-seeding and re-planting native vegetation, the park will one day bloom into a place that provides important habit for animals and pollinators. But the benefits of this green place will reach far beyond the biodiversity that inhabits it. The prairie will mitigate the impacts of severe weather like floods, while also sequestering carbon and supplying cleaner air. And as a thriving ecosystem, the prairie provides a beautiful and peaceful park experience without having to travel outside of Dallas. Together, we’re working to restore the disappearing Blackland Prairie, so that more people can experience its benefits and beauty.
A living legacy for future generations
Judge Charles R. Rose Community Park represents a tangible celebration and recognition of a well-lived life. Judge Rose created a sense of welcome and family in his community, Highland Hills. Community involvement in the design process represents a mindful and powerful gesture of gratitude for Judge Rose’s contributions and ensures a lasting legacy of impact on future community members. Judge Rose lived a life of empowerment as a champion of civil rights and opportunity. Judge Charles R. Rose Community Park will reflect this empowerment, providing park access to all – regardless of ability – to a neighborhood in need of recreational opportunities.
Visit
We invite you to experience Judge Charles R. Rose Community Park for yourself. Whether you’re gathering with loved ones, walking the Unity Trail, or simply enjoying the fresh air, this park is a place for everyone to feel connected, inspired, and at home.
Photography by Thomas McConnell