Current Projects

Stone Tables Area Renovation

Stone Tables Area Renovation Is Almost Complete

White Rock Lake Conservancy has spent nearly $1 Million to complete 3 of the 4 phases of the Stone Tables improvement project! This has brought beautification and restoration to this popular destination in White Rock Lake Park. The fourth phase is replacing the playground that is well past it's intended use date. Please donate now to help the Conservancy design and install a new and improved play area on the East side of White Rock Lake Park.
lilypond-plygrback

The Stone Tables Pavilion and Picnic Area serves tens of thousands of Dallas area residents a year.

One of the most popular open air rental facilities for the City of Dallas, the playground, pavilion and picnic tables serve as a meeting place for local running groups, youth birthday parties, reunions, holiday celebrations and much more. One of a handful of melting pots, White Rock Lake is as an idyllic and free place to socialize. Hispanic, African American, Anglo and other ethnic populations of Dallas ranging in ages from 0 to 100+ enjoy the amazing view and outdoor spaces at the Stone Tables Pavilion and Picnic area.
You can rent the pavilion there through the Dallas Park & Rec Department.

In 2012, the Board of Directors of the White Rock Lake Conservancy agreed to take on the renovation and restoration of the historic and very popular Stone Tables Pavilion and Picnic area for the Parks and Recreation Department as identified in the Top 10 projects. Volunteer architects and planners developed a renovation plan and worked with the City of Dallas to fulfill this goal.

The original plans of the Lily Pond at the Stone Tables show the natural stream feeding the lily pond, which runs under a stone bridge. The bridge, lily pond and water fountain were constructed by members of the CCC, as part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal, in 1931 and are both in need of restoration.

The restoration of the lily pond was completed summer of 2023 and helps with drainage in the area, a new ADA pathway connecting the restored restroom to the playground and tables area and a stone overlook. The Conservancy paid $155,000 to complete this phase. The final phase will be replacing and improving the playground area which is literally falling apart. If you want better for our young families that come play at White Rock Lake park, please contact White Rock Lake Conservancy Director, Jennifer Hoesterey, jennifer@whiterockdallas.org.

restroom-beforeafter

Before and after of restroom

The White Rock Lake Conservancy raised private donations and paid the City of Dallas $113,957 in January of 2015 to cover the entire cost of the renovation of the Pavilion with new roof, paint, stone work and replacement of rotten wood. This phase of the project was completed in 2015 and in 2019 the pavilion renovation received the Preservation Dallas Achievement Awards honoring Dallas’ outstanding residential and commercial historic preservation projects.


In 2017, the Conservancy gave the City of Dallas $15,000 for the Park & Recreation department to restore two of the original stone tables which gave us a better idea of the cost and scope of renovation of each table and lead to an updated landscape plan for the area, done pro bono by MESA Design

Today the Conservancy continues to work with the City of Dallas Park & Rec Department to finish the restoration project of the entire area. Over $500,000 was raised from private donations to White Rock Lake Conservancy and construction completed for the restoration of the stone tables and the surrounding grounds with new grills, stone trash enclosures and improved drainage to the area. The materials from the old tables were sorted and everything that is usable was salvaged and used in recreating the new tables. The materials used to make the original benches were everything from stone and granite to marble remnants and was different at each table. The contractor hired for the project is very familiar with historic preservation and much discussion and thought went into how to best restore these benches and tables within a realistic budget.

The men of the CCC also built a restroom facility with craftsmanship like we don’t often see in public areas. Artist Henry Potter of Potter Art Metal Studios designed natural scenes for the windows in the building, these were cleaned and covered with rust free paint to match the original paint color put on in the 1930s. The stone structure has been repurposed as single use ADA accessible comfort station for park patrons. The wood soffit boards were replaced along with the mortar and masonry in some areas of the structure. In addition to restoring the building two ADA parking spots were added close to the restroom with an ADA pathway to the building. The only ADA accessible restroom in the park!

The 2017 bond match of $250,000 from the Conservancy covered the cost of the renovation of the historic restroom, new ADA parking, ADA path to the restroom and new lighting. Construction on the restroom is complete and it is open daily for park patrons.

Now that the tables and pavilion have been renovated, the lily pond cleaned up and the restroom updated and back open we are working on a new playground for the area. As you can see, what is there now is in desperate need of replacement. WRLC aims to create a thoughtful play area that blends in with the natural surroundings and caters to ages 2-15, creates shade and a sidewalk that loops the area for easy watching and riding.

Celebration White Rock

Celebration White Rock is a 5k/10K race and block party benefiting White Rock Lake. Celebration White Rock brings together runners and lake-lovers from around the Dallas Metroplex for a fun evening of food, music, competition and celebration! To date, Celebration White Rock has raised over $500,000, all of which goes toward supporting our mission. Mark your calendars for April 4, 2024 for the 10th annual Celebration!

WRLC Supports Dallas Police

In partnership with a local couple with a special connection to the lake, The Conservancy was proud to donate eight bicycles and riding gear to the Dallas Police Bicycle Unit.

2011 White Rock Lake Centennial Celebration

WRLC organized 5 events and managed the infrastructure for the White Rock Lake Centennial Celebration raising over $1million in in-kind and outright gifts for the Lake