Historic Dallas Neighborhood Being Reborn With Giant Adult Swings and Iconic Arches

This is a Whole New West End

By Megan Ziots

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The historic West End arches returned to life, connecting the West End to Victory Park. Courtesy of WFAA

West End Square Park will have benches, tables, and porch swings. (Courtesy of Parks for Downtown Dallas)

A rendering of the new West End Square Park.

There will be a 50-foot-long table and Wi-Fi at West End Park for outdoor working. (Courtesy of Parks for Downtown Dallas)

A rendering of the new park shows covered shady areas.

In an attempt to reinvigorate Dallas’ historic West End, two new projects have begun to bring life back to the iconic area. The lighted arches, originally in Dallas Alley, have been reimagined and relit. And a new park with giant porch swings for adults is also in the works.

Serving as a pathway to provide safe walkability from the West End to Victory Park, the new neon LED lighted arches were spearheaded by Dallas Innovation Alliance. They are computer programmable, making it easy to change the colors for big games or events. There will also be opportunity for kids to have their designs displayed.

Seen as a symbol of the good ‘ole days, when the West End was popular for nightlife in the 1980s and 1990s, there was a lot of excitement when the arches were relit.

A new park called West End Square has also been recently unveiled by Parks for Downtown Dallas. The nonprofit organization is currently working on Pacific Plaza, Carpenter Park and Harwood Park. Bordered by North Market, Corbin, North Record Streets and Spaghetti Warehouse, the .78 acre park will have plenty of tables, benches and some cool swings.

The space is being designed by landscape architects from James Corner Field Operations, who are known for designing projects around the world such as The High Line in New York City, Presidio Parklands in San Francisco and the Navy Pier in Chicago. Isabel Castilla is heading up the West End project.

Breaking ground in early 2020, the current parking lot will be transformed into a very green space with lots of grass, flowers and plants. It’ll also be Wi-Fi enabled so you can work outdoors. The area also just added The Luminary, an innovative new office space.