New Funding for Dallas Trinity River Overlook (TX)

Dallas, 1/18/2008: Today, Mayor Tom Leppert announced that through a $100,000 grant from MetLife Foundation to The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national nonprofit land conservation organization, the City of Dallas has the money to build the Fast Track Overlook at the Trinity River Corridor. Mayor Leppert made the announcement this morning during his first quarterly meeting for the Trinity River Corridor.

“This latest gift is indicative of the excitement and momentum that surrounds the Trinity – Dallas’ largest public works project, which includes parks, flood control, transportation, and economic development,” says Mayor Leppert. “The Fast Track Overlook park promises to be an attractive, well-used public amenity. Dallas is grateful to both the MetLife Foundation and The Trust for Public Land for their partnership and support, which have made the Overlook possible.”

The funding was provided through the MetLife Foundation Parks & Playgrounds Fund with The Trust for Public Land. During a partnership that has lasted for more than a decade, MetLife Foundation has contributed $2.6 million to The Trust for Public Land’s effort to create more parks and playgrounds in nine cities nationwide.

“Accessible open space is a key component of healthy communities,” said Sibyl Jacobson, president of MetLife Foundation. “We are pleased to join The Trust for Public Land and City of Dallas in creating this valuable new resource.”

With construction of the Trinity River Project already underway, the Fast Track Overlook will provide a convenient location for the public to come and observe the construction of this amazing Project. It will provide an ideal vantage point to view the transformation of the Trinity River Corridor from its current state as a river floodway into Dallas’ signature public amenity, complete with a future “postcard” image of the inspirational Dallas downtown skyline framed by the spectacular Calatrava bridges.

Once completed, the Fast Track Overlook will be located at the junction of the existing Commerce Street bridge and Beckley Avenue. It will serve as an entry point to the Trinity River Corridor’s greenbelt as well as help connect downtown Dallas with lower-income communities to the west.

“The Trust for Public Land is pleased to support this project through our partnership with MetLife Foundation,” said Trust for Public Land Texas State Director Nan McRaven. “This grant is an exciting evolution of our long and continued partnership with the City of Dallas to create more public outdoor spaces for people to enjoy.”

The City expects to complete the Fast Track Overlook by October 2008, with a dedication event occurring in late November or early December 2008.

The Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving land for people to enjoy as parks and open space. Since 1972, TPL has conserved more than 2.3 million acres of land nationwide. In Texas, TPL has protected more than 31,000 acres for communities, including areas in and around Arlington, Austin, Dallas, Denton, Houston, and San Antonio. The Trust for Public Land depends on the support and generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses to achieve its land for people mission.

MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 by MetLife to carry on its longstanding tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. Grants support education, health, civic and cultural programs. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.metlife.org.