Fair Park-How important is it to you?

                               Bronze Door-Hall of State                                   Photo credit/Becky Rader

Teaching moment: Looking at the picture above can you tell which industry from the 1930's (remember the building was completed in 1936) is represented? Good guess. Now what other items are represented in this---look closely.  Lots to see at this fabulous building that at the time it was finished was said to be one of the three most important places for Texas History, the other two? The Alamo and the San Jacinto Monument. Come by for a tour sometime...

Dallas is known for many things and in my humble opinion one of the best places we have to offer, but admittedly most neglected maintenance wise, is Fair Park. Some call it a City jewel others distain it as a relic of the past.

But whatever your opinion is, all of that is about to change. For the first time in a very, very long time the City has chosen to place Fair Park as a separate item in the upcoming 2017 Bond. Some people though are under the misconception that the money for Fair Park, $50 Million, is to go to the group that is awarded the Fair Park Management Agreement, this is not accurate.

The money will go to the immediate needs repair for many buildings and will be under the purview of the Dallas Park and Recreation Department. Several buildings have major flood damage from leaking roofs and condensation issues, others have critical electrical repair needs, structural stabilization, plumbing, chiller, mechanical equipment, heat pump replacement, etc.

This list is by no means carved in stone and is only in draft form. Perhaps this can be viewed as an incentive for whomever takes over management of Fair Park so that new occupants for the vacant buildings are a little more easily acquired. And yes, we need a real park at Fair Park.

Here is an article from the DMN about this issue: 
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/fair-park/2017/06/27/fair-park-need-50m-face-lift-dallas-city-council-let-voters-decide

Below is the Aug. 17th, 2017 Draft of the proposed use of the $50 Million allocated for Fair Park

Project Description                                                                                                   Amount
1. Hall of State-Exterior wall and plaza restoration; exterior drainage 
and lighting; repair or replace exterior doors and windows; other
architectural interior and exterior repairs; repair sump pump; other                             $14,410,000
plumbing repairs; address dehumidification issues; replace heaters and 
other mechanical repairs; electrical repairs; elevator; ADA; and other
necessary repairs 
2. Music Hall-Elevator; carpeting; replace old plumbing pipes; security;
ADA improvements and other necessary repairs                                                       $ 4,300,000
3. African American Museum-Resolve water intursion; repair interior finishes; 
flush condenser water system; complete mechanical and electrical repairs                  $ 2,000,000
4. Texas Discovery Gardens-Chiller                                                                         $    300,000
5. Food and Fiber Building-Structural stabilization; repair damaged finishes;
and other necessary repairs                                                                                      $ 1,500,000
6. Coliseum-Water infiltration; flooring; plumbing; electrical/mechanical;
 restrooms; and other necessary repairs; Phase 1 Restoration                                    $ 9,500,000
7. Tower Building-Water infiltration repairs; interior renovation; plumbing;
mechanical/electrical; and other necessary repairs                                                      $ 3,500,000
8.Centennial Building-Roof repair; interior; exterior; electrical/mechanical;
mural and bas relief conservation; and other necessary repairs                                   $ 4,400,000
9. Pan American Complex-Poultry-Exterior restoration, repair interior doors;
Sheep and Goat-Renovation of concrete columns and stucco; Police Mounted 
Unit-Repair concrete, stucco, doors, columns, ventilation for electrical and 
elevator rooms; Arena-roof and louver; and other necessary repairs                          $ 3,480,000
10. Science Place 1(Phase 1)-Water infiltration repairs; conduct mold
testing; replace plumbing fixtures and water heater; replace aged mechanical
equipment; security                                                                                                  $ 5,110,000
11. Aquarium annex- Roof repairs and complete facade repairs; replace
some interior finishes; replace plumbing fixtures; upgrade fire alarm system;
provide new security                                                                                                $    600,000
 12. Magnolia Lounge-Roof replacement; repair facade; complete minor 
interior work; replace heat pumps and FCU's; replace interior lighting;
install security system                                                                                               $    900,000

Total for Fair Park-Proposition J (Bond)                                                             $50,000,000

 




 

The Art of Nature

    Sunrise                                                                                                                                                                                    Photo by Becky

This last week was a whirlwind of exciting events including the visit to Big Springs with Dr. Andrew Sansom.  A friend wrote about it on his blog and I really couldn't add more, other than my own perspective watching this occur and being a part of it.  See his blog here. http://dallastrinitytrails.blogspot.com/2014/12/texas-water-conservation-in-focus-at.html

A few from the group of supporters for the preservation of Big Spring met with Dr. Sansom before his program at TRAC for the Annual NTMN Awards Meeting.  The attention, suggestions, advice, and so much more could not have been more appreciated by our group.  This man graciously gave his time and expertise to us so that we can continue to do the best for the preservation of the Spring and the area around it.  There is much more study and hydrological research to be done to make sure that this site is protected and continues as a living symbol of the early settlement history of Dallas.

So how does art fit into this?  It was all around us while we were there.  The changing colors of the foliage, sunlight reflecting off the water, leaves floating on the surface of the spring fed pond, the trickle of the water as it flowed from the upper pond to the lower before it flowed to Bryan's Slough then on to White Rock Creek and the Trinity, eventually making its way into the Gulf of Mexico.  The sound was mesmerizing.  Add to that the voices all around us of the birds, it was nearing twilight and they were having the final say-so before the last of the daylight left them in the enveloping darkness.  There was a slight chill to the air and the sounds it carried brought a sense of peacefulness, as if in the serenade before nightfall we were being thanked for what we are trying to do.  My interpretation....

                                          Eastern Bluebirds on Cedar Fence                                      Photo by Becky

Artists have interpreted nature since man began drawing on cave walls the animals they saw and hunted.  We try to replicate the sounds of nature with musical instruments, which brings to mind the music from "Peter and the Wolf".  Poetry and songs are written that include nature, 'I think that I shall never see...' and 'from the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam'...... and some buildings are constructed so as to bring nature within, compliments of the great architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.

In spite of the industrialization, the constant covering of the land with concrete and metal we still seek to find our solace and reason for being through our connection with nature.  The natural world transfixes us when we take the time to watch the darkness of the night sky surrender slowly across the horizon to the breaking dawn.

I cannot imagine being without this connection to the natural world around us.  When you look for the art of nature you will be surprised at the places you will find it and how often you will see it.  It is all around us.

Two examples from the Hall of State fabulous collection of art work.  These were designed by the John Livers Lighting Company and represent the native flora of our state, a stylized Yucca bloom stalk as a finial on one of the exquisite floor lamps and Prickly Pear cactus and grasses on the famous Longhorn Sconces at the Great Hall entrance.  Beautiful!