A former quarry and community eyesore becomes a source of pride for the citizens of Irving, Texas

by David Harlan Cade, LASN

After being used as a sand and gravel quarry for decades, this 13 acre parcel of land was eventually abandoned and used as an unofficial dumping ground for contractors, who filled the site with construction debris. With portions of the site in the 100 year floodplain, developers had shied away from improvements, even though the site had become the only undeveloped space in a densely populated portion of the town. In 1993, however, things took a turn for the better when Blubonnet Savings, unable to sell the property, donated the land to the city of Irving, Texas. "Once the property was in the parks department inventory, the department's Landscape Architect's, in partnership with the neighborhood, produced a master plan to act as a tool to assemble the community's vision," said Gene Moulden, Senior Landscape Architect for Irving's Parks and Recreation Department.

Working with local trails historian, Jim Dunkley, they found that part of Shady Grove Trail, used by settlers moving from Dallas to Fort Worth and other points west in the mid-1800's, actually passes through the site.

The Historic Plaza

A main attraction and focal point as visitors enter the park, History Plaza was designed to fit into the theme of the park and Texas as a State, and to provide a history lesson on the significance of the area for future generations.

The jagged design of the trail leading up to the plaza adds to the theme of the park and includes boulders and native plant material one might have found on the prairie. The plant material, hand picked by project manager Terry Read from Southern Landscape Nursery in nearby Carrollton, is draught resistant and low maintenance, needing only occasional watering. The same jagged trail design, use of boulders and native plant material, was also done at the Jennifer Yeakley Playground.

The two historic arches mark where the old trail actually passed through the park. Dunkley thinks of them like a "trail head...an entryway to an adventure into history." He also noted that, after the park opened, students from the local elementary school gravitated toward the historical plaza because of the arches.

The story boards, which circle about a third of the plaza were researched and written by Dunkley. They tell the story of the area beginning with Eastern (or lower) Cross Timbers.

The Jennifer Yeakley Playground The playground is dedicated to Jennifer Yeakley, a former student of Townley Elementary School, who passed away in October 1996 after a courageous battle with a rare form of Leukemia. Because many of her friends would be using the playground, friends of the family requested a memorial in her honor.   Some of the playground amenities include: two, large play units by Playworld Systems with poured-in-place resilience rubber under each one for added safety, picnic tables by Wabash Valley Mfg., Inc., covered picnic shelters by Classic Recreation Systems, Inc., and benches for the adults by Webcoat.   As for the rest of the park, other improvements include: a native grass and wildfower area next to the playground, a 1/2 mile concrete trail, a basketball court and a large athletic field.

In January of 1999, the Dallas County Historic Commission presented the City of Irving with its "Old Red" Award. This very prestigious award, named in honor of the county's Old Red Courthouse, is normally given to large restoration projects or individuals who have shown a long-term dedication to the preservation of history.

Rick Loessberg, in an interview with the Dallas Morning News, said, "this project is so different and unusual. It proves that history can be more than old buildings, books or letters. We like the combination of history and recreation. People can come to the park to walk or play, and stop in the plaza to learn something about Irving's history." Loessberg is director of planning and development for Dallas County. lasn