Overview
- Parks Director John Jenkins told the Park Board on May 21 that the department must identify more than $13 million in cuts for fiscal 2026–27 and proposed closing Arcadia, Marcus Annex, the Teen Tech Center and Umphress.
- The draft plan would also cut routine park upkeep and shrink programming by reducing recreation center hours, cutting aquatic centers to four days a week and delaying openings at Bahama Beach.
- Board members pushed back and raised alternatives, including asking large partners such as the Dallas Zoo and the Arboretum to accept larger, temporary reductions or exploring new revenue ideas.
- Community users warned the closures would disrupt daily life and youth programming, with several board members noting facilities slated for closure are concentrated in south Dallas and could worsen local disparities.
- The proposal is still draft and will be negotiated with partners and the Park Board before final decisions are made by City Council during the budget process.