Harwood Park

Harwood Park is a 3.8-acre urban green space located in downtown Dallas, Texas. Opened to the public on September 23, 2023, it is the fourth and final park created through a partnership between the City of Dallas and the Downtown Dallas Parks Conservancy. The park site, formerly a collection of surface parking lots and vacant buildings in a historic district, has been transformed into a vibrant community gathering space.

Designed by Austin-based Ten Eyck Landscape Architects, Harwood Park serves the growing residential and visitor populations in the East Quarter and Dallas Farmers Market neighborhoods. The park's design incorporates elements that pay homage to the area's history while providing modern amenities for recreation and relaxation.

A central feature of Harwood Park is the mammoth-themed playground, which tells the story of Dallas's landscape from 100,000 years ago when it was a grassy savanna where Columbian Mammoths roamed. These 'Ghost Mammoths' are large sculptural play elements that allow children of all ages and abilities to engage in various play activities.

The park also features a half-acre great lawn surrounded by active and passive zones. A shaded promenade arcs through the middle of the park, centered on a water-harvesting rain garden that showcases low-impact design technologies for flood mitigation and irrigation.

At the Harwood and Jackson Street entrance, visitors are greeted by a striking gold ring pavilion. The gold rings that make up the arbor were salvaged from the old Statler Hotel parking garage that once stood near the park. This pavilion covers a plaza and faces an open lawn area suitable for events and gatherings.

Harwood Park incorporates preserved historic buildings within its layout, creating a unique blend of old and new. The park offers striking views of nearby architecturally significant structures, further connecting it to the surrounding urban landscape.