The City of Dallas joins The Trinity Trust Foundation and the Hoblitzelle Foundation in announcing the opening of the Pavilion and Amphitheater connecting Moore Park to the Santa Fe Trestle Trail. These new amenities were made possible by a $2 million donation from the Hoblitzelle Foundation in honor of Mr. Will Moore, the park’s namesake, and his contributions to Dallas’ African American community and culture. The public dedication and opening was held on Thursday, June 13, 2013.
Paul W. Harris, president and CEO, Hoblitzelle Foundation said, “The Hoblitzelle Foundation is excited to provide an expansion and enhancements resulting in an additional Trinity gateway for the south side of the river. This dramatic space connects the park to the Santa Fe Trestle Trail and provides new amenities and bridges benefiting the community and all citizens who come and enjoy the park and Trinity trail system.”
The new space at Moore Park creates a link to both the existing 75-year-old park and the Santa Fe Trestle Trail, which opened fall of 2012. Moore Park has athletic fields and parking with beautiful mature tree groves and views of Cedar Creek. All of these features remain coupled with the stunning plaza-style amenities fulfilling on the original design plans mapped out by the Trinity River Corridor Project.
City of Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said, “The Hoblitzelle Foundation is an outstanding and generous group, and the city is honored to have them as part of our community. Adding the new architectural elements and the link to the Santa Fe Trestle Trail and Moore Park that keeps the focus on the park and its heritage is typical of their vision and the way they contribute to Dallas.”
The beautiful new space centers on a shade pavilion with picnic tables and a gravity-defying 25-foot cantilevered overlook with views toward Cedar Creek. The performance amphitheater with thoughtful memory wall, sloped lawn for seating and icon tower lend dramatic flair to the architecturally finished and angled retaining walls. The amphitheater is a perfect outdoor venue for intimate daytime musical performances, dance events, school plays, student field trips, or the readings of novelists and poets.
A steel bridge connects from the entry plaza near the new pavilion to the terraced grove of red oak trees. Shared parking with the Santa Fe Trestle Trail is located at 8th Street and the DART overflow lot. A picturesque trail link to the adjacent Santa Fe Trestle Trail (.86 mile concrete trail) is shaded by mature trees taking visitors past a pecan grove and landscaped beds of native grasses or across the new Cedar Creek Bridge.
Dr. Gail Thomas, president and CEO, The Trinity Trust Foundation said, “This is a prime example of a successful public-private venture to create an innovative public space in the Trinity. We thank the Hoblitzelle Foundation for being the first to step up with recreational funds for a project of this type within the Trinity River Corridor.”
Opening activities made possible by The Trinity Trust included the Dallas Black Dance Theatre Children’s Troupe, Ernesto’s Mariachi Band and the Townview Jazz Band. Everyone is encouraged to bring a blanket and picnic or enjoy the food trucks.
The Hoblitzelle Foundation:
The Hoblitzelle Foundationwas established by Karl and Esther Hoblitzelle in 1942. Grants made by the directors of the foundation are usually focused on specific, non-recurring needs of the educational, social service, medical, cultural, and civic organizations in Texas, and particularly in the Dallas area.
The Trinity Trust:
The Trinity Trust Foundation helps the city by raising private funds for this $2.5 billion urban park project. Donations from the private sector will add amenities such as the signature Santiago Calatrava bridges, lakes, a central island, amphitheaters, trails, and athletic fields. The foundation also reaches out into the community to educate citizens about the project with presentations, symposia, and events. More information can be found by calling 214.740.1616 or by e-mailing info@thetrintytrust.org. Visit www.thetrintytrust.org for additional updates.
About the Trinity River Corridor Project:
The Trinity River Corridor Project is the largest and most complex public works and urban development project undertaken by the City of Dallas. This project is first and foremost a flood protection solution and one of the largest of its type in the nation. The project consists of five major components: flood protection, transportation, recreation, environmental stewardship, and business development. Projects under construction are the Baker Pump Station scheduled to open in 2014, Sylvan Avenue Bridge scheduled to open spring 2014 and construction exploration has begun on The Horseshoe Project, IH-35 and Margaret McDermott Bridge (IH-30) scheduled to be complete in 2017. The construction will begin for the Continental Avenue Bridge and West Dallas Gateway in the summer of 2013 and The Texas Horse Park later this year. Martin Luther King Jr./Cedar Crest Bridge and Joppa Gateway are under design. Over 22 miles of new forest and floodway trails are open for hiking or bicycle riding. Explore the Trinity by visiting www.trinityrivercorridor.org.