North Oak Cliff Greenspace Announces The Oak Cliff Founders Way
“Sculpture Trail Will Recognize Neighborhood Trailblazers”
DALLAS, Texas (Tuesday, May 21, 2019)—The North Oak Cliff Greenspace (NOCG), a 501c3 charitable organization, announced a major initiative to honor some of the Founding Fathers of Oak Cliff by building and installing a series of bronze sculptures along the Coombs Creek Trail, the Oak Cliff Founders Way.
The first sculpture will be that of George Kessler, the prodigious landscape architect and city planner who, among his many other accomplishments, designed the Kessler and Stevens Park Communities. The first sculpture will be a joint venture of the Kessler Neighbors United and NOCG. Future plans call for additional statues along the Coombs Creek Trail that runs throughout North Oak Cliff from the Trinity River to Hampton Road. The trail will eventually extend to Pinnacle Park.
“We believe our neighborhoods deserve a series of landmarks throughout North Oak Cliff and West Dallas that recognizes those visionary leaders who helped create and cultivate our unique communities. We feel the Founders Way will highlight the sense of space, history and community that represents the spirit of our neighborhoods,” said Bob Stimson, Founders Way Committee Chair for North Oak Cliff Greenspace.
During the last quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2019, the Founders Way art committee has been researching and interviewing local, national and international artists with extensive experience in creating historical sculptures and public art that can fulfill the vision of its first project honoring George Kessler. Kessler was an American pioneer city planner and landscape architect, who designed the areas presently known as Kessler Park and Stevens Park. The location for the first statue will be in an island between Colorado Boulevard and Kessler Parkway just east of Stevens Park Golf Course.
“George Kessler is the founder of Kessler Park. His vision to design a residential area amongst the hills of North Oak Cliff transformed our neighborhood and community. The eclectic mixture of early 20th century architecture nestled within the wooded hills and meandering boulevards of Kessler Park created a unique series of neighborhoods-within-neighborhoods unparalleled in Dallas,” said Stimson.
“The time is right for the creation of The Oak Cliff Founders Way and it is in keeping with our overall mission at North Oak Cliff Greenspace to continue to beautify and enhance the surrounding communities,” said James Mathis, President of North Oak Cliff Greenspace.
A major fundraising effort has commenced to fund The Oak Cliff Founders Way and its first statue, featuring George Kessler. Donors will be recognized appropriately at the site of the statues. Initial donors will be invited to a private reception at the home of Jim Lake and Amanda Moreno for a special announcement and update on June 27th. Those interested can get more information and make donations at nocgreenspace.org.
For Further Information Contact:
Mr. Bob Stimson
The Oak Cliff Founders Way Committee Chair
North Oak Cliff Greenspace
214-500-9445
bobstimson@sbcglobal.net
Mr. James Mathis
President
North Oak Cliff Greenspace
214-302-7952
jmathis@nocgreenspace.org
Follow North Oak Cliff Greenspace on Social Media:
Facebook: North Oak Cliff Greenspace
Instagram: North Oak Cliff Greenspace
Twitter: North Oak Cliff Greenspace (@oakgreenspace)
North Oak Cliff Greenspace, Inc. (Greenspace) was formed during the “planning phase” of the $8 million renovation of Stevens Park Golf Course, which was completed in 2011. Our goal then was to provide support for the enhanced landscaping and amenities to complement the terrain and character of the surrounding residential neighborhoods.
The Mission of North Oak Cliff Greenspace, is to help provide enhancements to the Stevens Park Golf Course and the Coombs Creek Trail that beautify and/or make those facilities more usable for the surrounding neighborhoods.
George Kessler Information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Kessler
http://www.georgekessler.org/
https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fke44