Signature park connects greenbelt

This past Saturday, more than 100 volunteers teamed up to preserve the pristine prairie at Judge Charles R. Rose Community Park in Southern Dallas. The first “Explore and Restore” event featured passionate prairie preservationists from State Farm, The Nature Conservancy and Trust for Public Land who spent their day working on prairie restoration and enhancement at the soon-to-be-opened park in Dallas’ Highland Hills neighborhood. The event, hosted by leaders from Trust for Public Land’s Texas team, featured experts from The Nature Conservancy and energetic volunteers from State Farm, and provided participants with an opportunity to learn about the importance of the native Blackland Prairie. In addition, Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins, who represents the district where the park is located, was thrilled with the day’s events. Once opened, Judge Charles R. Rose Community Park will be one of three new signature parks that connect along the planned Five Mile Creek Greenbelt that runs across Oak Cliff in Southern Dallas. Since before the park’s groundbreaking, State Farm has been a key supporter of the park. — Ryan Trimble