Lake Highlands residents can expect a new neighborhood park and multipurpose center at the intersection of Forest Lane and Audelia Road.
During its March 8 meeting, Dallas City Council approved the transfer of about $5.55 million from the Skillman Corridor Tax Increment Financing District funds to the Dallas Park and Recreation Department. The transfer will be used to provide funding for the city’s new Forest Audelia Park and Multipurpose Center. The projected total budget for the project is about $7.55 million, according to council documents. In addition to the Skillman Corridor TIF funds, the project will be funded by the park and recreation department, 2017 bond funds and the city's American Rescue Plan Act Neighborhood Revitalization program.
The Forest Audelia project, which will be located at 9759 Forest Lane, will be completed in three phases, according to council documents. Phase 1 will be the creation of the neighborhood park, including a playground with "enhanced" features, a basketball court and a futsal court, which is a cross between soccer and football. Phase 2 will include the partial demolition and partial renovation of the property’s existing building. The property currently houses a small shopping center. The new multipurpose building will host a cultural center, recreation center, library, police station and boxing gym. In addition, the center will have a program space for its yet-to-be-named educational partner, which will be constructed during Phase 3 of the project.