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Parks and Recreation

The landscape of Oak Cliff showcases numerous park sites, including friendly neighborhood parks, historic regional parks, smaller pocket parks and greenbelts, which are equipped with amenities such as swimming pools, playgrounds, picnic areas, walking trails and more.

In memory of his late wife, Elizabeth Patterson Kiest, Edwin Kiest—publisher of the Dallas Times Herald—donated 247 acres of land to the City of Dallas for use as a regional park. Over the years, Kiest Park has transformed into one of the city’s finest and most popular parks. Today, the park features ball and soccer fields, a tennis center, a swimming pool, a recreation trail complete with exercise trails, a playground with accommodations for handicapped children, a recreation center, a pavilion, a picnic area and the 2.5-acre Kiest Memorial Garden.

Established in 1938 with funds bequeathed by Dr. Samuel Estate, the rustic, 16-acre Founders Park encompasses the beautiful Cliff Towers of 1926 and Founders Plaza (added in 1974). The park meets with Lake Cliff Park to the south, a 44-acre park and lake overlooking the Downtown Dallas skyline. Kidd Springs Park is another historic park site in the area, featuring 31 acres of land, a small spring-fed lake and an oriental garden.

Since its opening in 1989, Joe Pool Lake has become a favorite destination for outdoor enthusiasts in the Dallas-Forth Worth Metroplex. Lynn Creek Marina, Joe Pool Marina and seven boat ramps are scattered around the lake, serving the lake’s fishers and boaters. The 1,826-acre Cedar Hill State Park lines the northeast corner of Joe Pool Lake and offers more than 300 campsites and hundreds of picnic tables and barbeque pits. Lynn Creek State Park, a day-use area, is located along the northwestern portion of the lake and offers boat access, a beach area, picnic sites and sand volleyball courts. The 791-acre Loyd Park supplies boat ramps, campsites, hiking and equestrian trails, picnic facilities, softball fields and a volleyball court, while Britton Park is primarily utilized for access to the southernmost parts of Joe Pool Lake.

In addition to the parks and lakes of Oak Cliff are a number of recreation centers where children and adults can access an exhaustive list of engaging sports and recreational activities. The Oak Cliff Family YMCA is a prominent resource for recreation, education and culture in the community.

The area is also a great place for golfers of all skill levels. Oak Cliff hosts two fine municipal golf courses—Cedar Crest Golf Course (named one of the “Best Places to Play” for 2008-2009 Golf Digest) and Stevens Park Golf Club—along with the beautiful Oak Cliff Country Club, which has been the past site of several PGA and senior tournaments. Dallas National Golf Club is a newer addition to the golf offerings of Oak Cliff. Opened in spring 2002, this exquisite private golf club, situated on the west side of Oak Cliff, was designed by world-renowned designer Tom Fazio and has earned recognition from Golf Digest in its 2007-2008 “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses” and “Best Courses in the State.”

The Trinity River Corridor Project has been noted as one of the most monumental public works and urban redevelopment projects ever attempted. More than $1 billion in infrastructure is planned for the corridor, which runs along one side of Oak Cliff. Residents and visitors will be able to take advantage of new parks, lakes, multi-use trails, an interpretive center and further recreational amenities. The establishment of the Trinity River Corridor will ultimately enhance the quality of life for this generation and for those to come. In 2008 the City of Dallas opened The Trinity River Audubon Center, located eight minutes from downtown Dallas on 120 acres, another part of the City of Dallas-Trinity River Corridor Project. The land, formerly an illegal dump site, has been reclaimed by the City of Dallas and beautifully demonstrates how a municipal liability can be transformed into a major asset for people of all ages to enjoy..