Mayor Johnson: $1.25 million

Now is the time to take to the next level Dallas’ efforts underway to make Dallas greener and greater.

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This administration remains committed to enhancing neighborhoods across Dallas by transforming city-owned land into beautiful green spaces.

That is why I directed the city manager last week to allocate $1.25 million of my discretionary American Rescue Plan Act funds to support this administration’s Greening Czar initiative.

That’s right: $1.25 million.

This $1.25 million investment is further proof that Dallas’ mayor considers parks critical infrastructure in a 21st Century city. And it is already serving as a catalyst to achieve meaningful results. Greening Czar Garrett Boone is leveraging this investment to secure matching funds from Dallas’ philanthropic community.

The Greening Czar initiative is progressing. Garrett is collaborating with leaders from Trust for Public Land and the Dallas Park & Recreation Department to review the inventory of vacant, unused, and underused city-owned land that the city manager produced. Garrett is also developing a site-selection process — one that includes clear criteria and robust community engagement.

Now is the time to take to the next level this city’s efforts to make Dallas greener and greater. For more, read this column that explains why Dallas is primed for a parks renaissance.

A fun — and safe — summer

It was exciting to kick off the City of Dallas’ second annual Summer of Safety campaign.

This initiative, which I started last year, is designed to promote the safety of Dallas’ most valuable assets — the children of this city — by involving them in positive activities while they are out of school. These efforts in 2022 contributed to a reduction in summer crime in Dallas — something that is rare in major cities.

With so many free and reduced-cost activities offered by the City of Dallas, there is no excuse — none — for any Dallas child to sit idle at home or become involved with criminal activity on the streets this summer.

Just a few examples of the free and low-cost programs offered by the City of Dallas include SMART Summer with Mayor Johnson, a summer reading and education program for Dallas children; the Dallas Park & Recreation Department’s Teen All Access Pass, which gives Dallas residents ages 13–17 free admission to a collection of museums, water parks, nature centers, and other venues during the summer; and this administration’s Youth Sports Ticket Program, a partnership created to provide opportunities to the city’s youth to attend — for free — area professional, collegiate, and amateur sporting events.

Please take note of the incredible array of programming offered by the City of Dallas, spread the word, and make it your business to ensure Dallas kids have a fun — and safe — summer!

#WeAreDallas

The unveiling of #WeAreDallas — the official FIFA World Cup 2026 brand for Dallas — marks a major milestone in the countdown to the world’s biggest sporting event. The official brand, emblem, and colors for Dallas were revealed on Thursday at AT&T’s global headquarters in downtown Dallas.

As a proud FIFA World Cup 2026 Host City, Dallas is ready to welcome fans from around the world in 2026!

Friendly competition

Speaking of sports, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman agreed to a friendly wager prior to the start of the National Hockey League’s 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs Western Conference Finals series between the Dallas Stars and the Vegas Golden Knights.

When the Dallas Stars win the series, Mayor Goodman will send a piece of Las Vegas history to Dallas: one of the original 89 lights that illuminated the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada” sign, which was erected in 1959. And in the (unlikely) event that the Dallas Stars lose, Mayor Goodman will receive a genuine Stetson hat from Wild Bill’s Western Store in Dallas.

Thank you, Mayor Goodman, for your willingness to participate in this friendly competition!

Take care of yourselves and each other. And let’s go, Dallas Stars!