Oak Cliff deck park Halperin Park debuts in Dallas

The City of Dallas celebrated the opening of its second-ever deck park, Halperin Park, this past Saturday on May 9.

Halperin Park, which was previously called the Southern Gateway Deck Park, is located in Oak Cliff between the Dallas Zoo and I-35E. Opening events and celebrations included live music, dances, arts, yoga, food trucks, and more over the weekend.

This park is the second to open in Dallas after the establishment of Klyde Warren Park in the Arts District that opened in October 2012. Klyde Warren Park at the time took the space of an eight-lane free lane and became the 5.4 acre park it is today, connecting Uptown to the Arts District.

This is only the first phase of the park that's currently open. Phase two is expected to open by 2029 and extend the other part of the park to Marsalis Avenue for a 5.3 acre park. according to the park's site, the purpose for this project is to "heal the divide" caused by the construction of highways.

"For decades, Oak Cliff was divided in two by Interstate 35E. The park was envisioned as a catalyst for change—expanding access to amenities while positively impacting economic opportunity, health and wellness, education and long-term community stability," the website reads.

There will also be an Oak Cliff Walk of Fame added along 12th Street Promenade highlighting figures throughout history.