After Months of Calls and Letters From Your Eastwood Neighborhood Association Board

When the pedestrian bridge linking the playground park to Lake Highlands Drive was closed by the city many months ago, the ENA board learned to repair it would take a reconstruction of the entire bridge and it would need to be made ADA-compliant to satisfy federal laws. Such a task costs lots of money requiring inclusion in a bond election, which wouldn't happen for a few years. 

That's much too long! Bicyclists, as well as walkers from Old Lake Highlands, seeking the Dixon Branch Greenbelt depend on that bridge, as do children walking to Hexter, St John's, and other schools. The significantly reduced traffic left the playground park's back section without the usual monitoring, enabling the use of the area for nefarious deeds. 

The ENA board spent many, many hours bringing this issue to parks, public works, and police. We dialogued extensively with city councilperson Paula Blackmon and park board rep Maria Hasbny. We even notified the bicycle transportation department, East Dallas civic groups, and more. 

Our work paid off! ENA recently received this note from Chris Turner-Noteware, Assistant Director for Dallas Park and Recreation Department: 

"I wanted to let you know that we have identified both the funding for design and construction for the Dixon Branch Green Belt Pedestrian Bridge. We are currently working on obtaining a scope from the preferred design consultant for the pedestrian bridge and hope to have this within the next month, if not sooner. The design should be able to be change ordered into a current contract which will expedite the execution of the design once the scope and fee are agreed to."

Your support in the way of membership dues motivates us to work this hard. All funds received go to efforts such as greenbelt improvement, VIP support, postal box and website costs, and other functional needs. But your membership dues let us know our efforts are appreciated and encourage us to do more. 

Exciting times are ahead for ENA. We have a new playground committee chair, Erik Ramirez, and plans for more neighborhood social events. So come and grow with us by becoming a member or renewing today.