On November 9, The Trinity Trust hosted a “Toast to the Trinity” at Saint Rocco’s New York Italian restaurant with views of the Dallas skyline and the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge to celebrate the $50 million gift from the Simmons family for the Trinity River Park Project. The Trinity Trust River Rats and Rat Pack joined the Simmons family, board members, elected officials and special guests in this celebration for the gift given.

The week before, Mayor Mike Rawlings, along with Annette Simmons and The Trinity Trust Foundation, announced a historic $50 million donation from Simmons
in honor of her late husband, Harold Simmons, for the new Trinity River Park. The donation is the single largest gift from a private donor for a public/private
partnership benefitting the City of Dallas. It will launch development and construction of the first phase of what is poised to become one of America's greatest urban parks.

"This gift represents a major turning point for this project, and for our city," said Rawlings. "With the generosity of Annette Simmons, in honor of Harold, we can begin to create a natural treasure for the future generations of Dallas. This will be one of America's greatest urban parks and will serve as a gathering place that unites us right here in the heart of our city."

The donation comes five months after Rawlings unveiled a conceptual design for the park to widespread acclaim. This concept was made possible by a gift from Deedie Rose, interim chair of The Trinity Trust Board of Directors, and the late Rusty Rose. "My husband Harold was a visionary, a humanitarian and a nature lover." said Annette Simmons. "He was committed to investing in Dallas and its citizens. This gift will begin the creation of a great public space in our city that will be a place to gather, to enjoy nature and promote health and well-being. I cannot think of a more lasting and meaningful way to honor Harold's memory and legacy," Annette Simmons said.

With this historic donation, and following City Council approval, the park will be named the Harold Simmons Park. Other contingencies of the gift include that the park be operated by a private entity that has secured operations and maintenance funds. The full park concept encompasses more than 285 acres of land near the heart of downtown Dallas. The concept envisions a new naturalized river landscape that is ever-changing with miles of pathways and trails within the levees, and includes sites for five elevated parks that will extend from inside the levees into the adjacent communities. The concept also allows for the Trinity Parkway, which will provide primary access into the park and will require separate funding.

The concept is the careful work of Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc., one of America's premier design firms whose work includes the Brooklyn Bridge Park and Harvard Commons Spaces. The next critical step in planning the construction will be community input that will provide the necessary information to create final designs.

"Dallas is very fortunate to have this forward-thinking, transformational gift from Annette Simmons," Rawlings said. "This gift changes everything. It has the ability to change the culture and image of our city in the future. And in terms of immediate impact, it transitions us from thinking to doing. My hope is that in the near future we can begin a series of public input meetings to start building out the design of the park. By next year, we want to be building America's next great urban park," said Rawlings.

The sultry notes of a saxophone danced across Continental Avenue Bridge as The Trinity Trust Rat Pack and River Rat members gathered for an evening over the Trinity. The membership event - “Meet Me On Continental” – on October 7 brought out 85 guests who enjoyed perfect fall weather to stroll the active pedestrian bridge while mingling, sipping drinks, munching on gourmet popcorn and enjoying the live music.

“There is no magical formula to what makes a great city; it takes having places where people of all backgrounds come together and engage with one another,” said Gail Thomas, President and CEO of The Trinity Trust, as she addressed the group with the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge glowing in the background. “Continental Avenue Bridge is a perfect example of this and there is so much more of it coming with the Trinity project.”

Guests including The Trinity Trust board member Jim Bass, Tori and Joe Mannes, Dana Juett, Judy and Patrick Kelly, Vicki Briley-White and Jim White, Bob Thomas, Steve Smith, Annie and Bud Melton, Sarah Mannes, and Elizabeth Ygartua strolled the bridge and watched families playing in the splash park and enjoying a lively Zumba class.

The event encouraged members and guests to explore the new pedestrian bridge, which opened in June 2014 and connects West Dallas to Downtown Dallas. The Trinity Trust raised the private funds to convert Continental Avenue Bridge from a vehicular bridge to a pedestrian and bike bridge. These funds were given by an anonymous donor in honor of The Trinity Trust board chair Mary McDermott Cook. The City of Dallas runs programs throughout the week on the bridge including Zumba, yoga, nature fairs and family days.

The evening was hosted by The Trinity Trust, which raises private funds for the Trinity River Corridor Project amenities, and sponsored by Smith Group Asset Management and Texas Capital Bank. Join the Rat Pack or River Rats today to participate in upcoming cocktail events, grand openings, private paddling adventures on the Trinity River, Trails & Ales parties in the corridor and more.

The Rat Pack offers unique opportunities to experience and participate in the creation of the future city along the banks of the Trinity River. Celebrate The Trinity project with social gatherings, events, and lectures at The Trinity Center featuring master designers, urban planners, and civic leaders. Members may also participate in canoe trips and guided hikes through the Great Trinity Forest. The River Rats is comprised of active enthusiasts dedicated to supporting The Trinity project. With a focus on education and increasing public awareness about the project, the goal is to build support for The Trinity project among Dallas’ young leaders in an effort to enhance life for the Dallas community through environmental, recreational, and economical efforts.

Rat Pack membership is $500 for one-year for a couple or individual and guest. River Rats membership is a $100 for one-year for a couple or individual and guest. Those interested can join online at http://thetrinitytrust.org/ or by calling 214.740.1616 with a credit card number. Memberships can also be purchased as a unique gift for others.  The Trinity Trust Foundation supports the City of Dallas by raising private funds for amenities for the Trinity River Corridor Project. Donations from the private sector add features such as the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and Margaret McDermott Bridge, Continental Avenue Bridge, Trinity Lakes, Trinity Forest Spine Trail, and more. 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, by emailing info@thetrinitytrust.org, or by visiting www.thetrinitytrust.org. 

More than 100 members of The Trinity Trust’s Rat Pack and River Rats were among the first to experience the magic of the not-yet-opened Texas Horse Park for an evening of horseback riding, cocktails, and Texas hospitality on March 10. Guests enjoyed exploring the trails and various venues, and many even saddled up a horse for a gallop in the arena.

“It is even more beautiful than we imagined it could be,“ said Gail Thomas, president and CEO of The Trinity Trust.

Texas Horse Park architect Craig Reynolds spoke about the design and vision for the park and how it will be a community asset. “It’s hard to believe this is 10 minutes from Downtown Dallas,” he said, marveling about the beauty of the Great Trinity Forest.

“I am blown away by my visit to the Texas Horse Park,” said Salle Stemmons.  “I can't wait to share it with all my family and friends. What a magnificent gift for all of Dallas to enjoy! Well done!”

Other guests, including Texas Horse Park Foundation Board Member Carol Nichols, Annie and Bud Melton, The Trinity Trust Board Member Lynn McBee, Natalie and Evan Beattie, Calvin Bluiett and Dustin Bullard, enjoyed taking pictures – and even a ride – with the beautiful horses provided by River Ranch Charities.  Sweet Pea and Pepper seemed to be the crowd favorites.

“This is so much fun. What a terrific venue for parties and events,” said The Trinity Trust Board Chair Mary McDermott Cook.

Located in the Great Trinity Forest near the Trinity River Audubon Center, the Texas Horse Park will host a public opening on March 28 from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. It will be a great way to explore the site and get the kids on a horse. The city-owned facility houses two nonprofits, Equest Therapeutic Horsemanship and River Ranch Charities.

Thank you to Smith Group Asset Management and Texas Capital Bank for their sponsorship of the 2015 Rat Pack and River Rats. The Trinity Trust invites those interested to join today to participate in upcoming events cocktail events, grand openings, private paddling adventure on the Trinity River, Trails & Ales party in the Trinity River Corridor and more. Rat Pack members are invited to a special cocktail reception at Mary McDermott Cook’s “DumpTop” with views of the two Calatrava bridges.

Rat Pack membership is $500 for one-year for a couple or individual and guest. River Rats membership is a $100 for one-year for a couple or individual and guest. Those interested can join online at http://thetrinitytrust.org/ or by calling 214.740.1616 with a credit card number. Memberships can also be purchased as a unique gift for others.