What was once a crime-ridden eyesore is now a source of pride for one Arlington neighborhood. Crews are putting the finishing touches on a brand new park near the intersection of North Bowen Road and Wesley Drive.
Jackson South works in that area and finds himself spending a lot of time on the new trail that’s been built there.
“It’s really great to have a place where you can come and take a walk,” said South. “I take a walk here every once in a while -- get out of the office and stretch my legs.”
It’s something he never used to be able to do.
“There was just a bunch of really junky looking apartments here,” said South.
He’s referring to the High Oak Terrace Apartments, which used to sit on the land where the park now exists. Throughout the early 2000s, they were ridden with crime and a mounting pile of code violations. In 2004, they were shut down for failing city and federal inspections.
The city of Arlington then purchased the property and demolished the apartments.
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Initially, the city wanted to use the land for low-income housing, but those plans never came to fruition. Instead, they decided that space would be an ideal place for a neighborhood park.
“It just so happened this was an area of town where we needed a park,” said De’Onna Garner, parks planning manager for the city of Arlington.
For the past three years, they’ve been planning, designing and building High Oak Park. Now, they’re putting the finishing touches on it.
“It makes us feel good to be able to give the community something that they need and can enjoy,” said Garner.
When it officially opens in November, the 12-acre park will have trails, benches and green space. Garner said once funding becomes available, they plan to add a playground and picnic pavilion as well.
“It’s good to have people from the neighborhood get out and have somewhere to come enjoy themselves and enjoy the weather,” said South.
South said he’s pleased with how the project has turned out, and he’s looking forward to taking many more walks there.
The grand opening and dedication of High Oak Park is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15.
