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Read Me In 5 Minutes!
Having an office space in downtown Dallas is a luxury of its own. There’s an array of restaurants for happy hours, access to the DART for easy to-and-from work transportation, and a bustling corporate energy that can’t be beat. But one of the best advantages of working downtown is being in close proximity to downtown Dallas’ three community parks: Main Street Garden, Belo Garden, and Klyde Warren Park. Having the option to venture to one of these spaces during the workday is a great amenity to have in any office environment, and can benefit your health in the long run, as well.
A City’s Revival
In the early 2000s, Dallas’ downtown environment quality was little to none. The city was riddled with freeways and office towers, and had no space dedicated to green parks. Office vacancy was another issue for the city, with the vacancy rate going a little over 30%. City developers knew a rebirth for the city needed to happen if Dallas wanted to remain a competitive city for business.
To make this rebirth occur, Dallas needed to appeal to residents. No one wanted to stay downtown if they didn’t have an escape from the harshness of the office buildings and concrete. Residents want walkable streets, places to take their dogs out, or safe areas for their children. So, developers knew if they restored Dallas to be more green, residents would come.
Fast-forward to today, downtown Dallas’ community park development is growing faster than ever. In 2009, Main Street Garden opened as a park for families, residents, and visitors. The garden is full of places for activity, including fountains, a lawn, Wi-Fi, a toddler play area, and dog runs. Both the Belo Garden and Klyde Warren Park opened in 2012, offering downtown residents “urban oasis” getaways. Belo Garden is a botanical garden in itself, home to 10,000 individual Texas native plants. Klyde Warren Park is a hub for outdoor activities, from chess to a children’s park, and dining to “Music Thursdays.” Klyde Warren Park is the epitome of what developers dreamed of for Dallas in the beginning of the century.
And, the Dallas neighborhood is still growing. Plans have been proposed for Trinity River Park in Dallas, a 10,000 acre park that’s a 10-minute drive from downtown. This park is set to be the biggest urban park in America, dwarfing Central Park by over 9,000 acres. Although some operations have already begun, the real construction will begin in one to two years.
Perks of Community Parks
With the introduction of more greenery in Dallas, it is important for employees to take advantage of having a park right around the corner from the office. There are many added benefits of having a community park near the workplace, and most include your health. For example, parks provide an open space for exercise, a great chance to soak up some Vitamin D, or just a chance to get some fresh air. Whether it’s on your lunch break or while you run an errand, walking through the parks at least once a day can give you added exercise time that would otherwise be spent at your desk chair.
Evidence also suggests physical activity in parks benefits your mental health more than physical activity in urban spaces. Even just looking at nature can ease your mental health, as well. If your office is overlooking a park, try working by the window with a view. This can benefit you by decreasing your stress levels, and it mimics a quick getaway from office life. University of Melbourne researcher Kate Lee said, “Engaging in these green microbreaks—taking time to look at nature through the window, on a walk outside, or even on a screen saver—can be really helpful for improving attention and performance in the workplace.”
Another benefit of community parks is that it improves your ability to attract talent to your office space. Having office space near a park increases the property value of your space and gives your company a competitive advantage. Texas A&M University professor John Crompton agrees, saying, “Parks are economic engines, they generate money.” As employees continue to favor companies that value employee satisfaction, your location to urban parks will be a crucial. This, in turn, attracts other businesses and residents to the area who also would like to reside near the green spaces. Another advantage is if you do decide to sell your office, you will get more bang for your buck.
Growing Greenery:
renovations at Trammell Crow Center
As Dallas continues to be active in the race for urban planning, we’re seeing transformations all around the community. The renovations occurring at the Trammell Crow Center, for instance, will convert 1.4 acres of outdoor space into people-friendly public space replacing the rarely used dead-end areas with shaded seating areas that people will actually use.
TCC will add 122 total seats on the building’s exterior; all will be fully or partially shaded. The plans include revitalizng the surrounding space of Trammell Crow Center into a park-like environment with far more shade on the property than there is today and animated with people.
( via DMagazine )
Renovations include extended outdoor greenspace, large grassy steps facing the DMA, improved walkability, and an inviting plaza that extends to the street level.
Not to mention, Trammell Crow Center will transform from day to night with 2000 Ross across the street complete with multifamily, retail, restaurants, extended parking, and more. The building that once said “stay out”, will now say “come in” with its mission to turn the office building over to the Ross neighborhood. Stream Realty plans to introduce an urban market on Harwood and a full-service restaurant on Olive with 26,000+ SF of additional patio-friendly retail across the street from Trammell Crow Center.
With more greenery plans in place, downtown Dallas has emerged from being just a concrete jungle to a booming and green residential and urban hotspot.
