Welcome to the Square
As renovations and new construction take place throughout Downtown, Dallas is keeping its eye on a greener future. Several public green spaces joined the Downtown landscape recently – Pacific Plaza opened in 2019, West End Square in 2021. Two more parks are in the works by Downtown Dallas Parks Conservancy and the City: Carpenter Park on the east side of Downtown, and Harwood Park in the new East Quarter District next to the Dallas Farmers Market.
Even as the people of Dallas yearn to spend as much time as possible outside, the simple fact of the matter is that the modern world and its citizens also expect convenient access to the Internet and electricity. The West End Square’s Outdoor Workroom responds to these desires in one thoughtfully planned space.
Building the ‘Frame’ Work
With West End Square, what was once a pay parking lot has been transformed into a natural utopia. A gorgeous blend of seating areas and porch swings combine with a touch of modernity to house a space that truly has something for everyone.
At the center of the Square lies the Prairie Garden. This lovingly created green space is dotted with organically shaped planting beds, sculpted and planted with a palette inspired by the Texas Blackland Prairies. The centerpiece of the Prairie Garden is its one-of-a-kind Water Table, which responds to Dallas’ weather patterns in a beautiful, interactive fashion.
The Frame is an adaptable shade structure that runs in a U-shape along three sides of the Square. The Porch, which runs along North Record Street, is used as a relaxing seating area for park visitors with porch swings that look into the park and out to the streetscape. The Innovation Arcade along Market Street houses a cutting-edge space that’s perfect for hosting small performances or temporary art installations.
The new West End Square would be stunning in its own right, but the addition of the Outdoor Workroom elevates the park into something truly special.
Soak Up the Sun While You Work
On the northern edge of the park lies the Outdoor Workroom. Nestled beneath a shady canopy, the Workroom features a 50-foot-long table with wireless charging stations and electrical outlets located at regular intervals. Perfect for those needing a break from the office, the public Wi-Fi can turn a section of the Workroom into an outdoor meeting space in seconds.
Best of all, the Outdoor Workroom is built to mingle with the lush garden space around it to create spaces for groups to sit under the shady canopy or enjoy the sunshine. And for those looking to take a break and burn off some steam, grab a friend and challenge them to a game of table tennis or foosball, both located under the shady canopy.
The Workroom is ready to accommodate everyone, whether you’re a parent taking your kids out for a picnic, an office employee seeking refuge from another afternoon spent indoors, or a visitor to the West End that needs to charge a phone.
A New Lease on a Beloved District
At its core, the revitalization of the West End Historic District is a community effort, of which West End Square is a part. Dallas citizens, philanthropic institutions and prominent corporations have donated financial resources to this public space that is breathing new life into one of the state’s most critical epicenters. Downtown Dallas Parks Conservancy is thankful for the support of the donors who made West End Square what it is today:
- Outdoor Workroom – JPMorgan Chase & Co.
- Interactive Water Table – Downtown Dallas, Inc. Foundation
- Market Street Alcove – Corgan
- The Meadows Foundation
- The M.R. & Evelyn Hudson Foundation
As Steve Hulsey, president of architecture and design firm Corgan explained, “we are excited to invest in shaping the urban fabric of the city where we live, work, and play.” With the support of Corgan and other local stakeholders, Downtown Dallas Parks Conservancy is making the city a more vibrant and walkable place through the development of four new, dynamic public parks. But the long-term success of Downtown parks hinges on community support.
Learn more and Support the Parks with a tax-deductible donation.
