A Temporary Design Demonstration Is Headed to Bachman Lake
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Feb. 19, 2024
Better Block Foundation Contact: Imani Chet Lytle, Communications Coordinator, imani@betterblock.org
Dallas, TX – In partnership with Bachman Lake Together, Lumin Education, and The Dallas Foundation, the Better Block Foundation is collaboratively working to re-envision part of the parking lot adjacent to the joint Bachman Lake Together/Lumin Education campus.
This community-led placemaking event aims to inspire residents to creatively transform this public space through a temporary demonstration into an activated lot that will be available for the community to use in June and July. Anticipated enhancements include seating, shade, art installations, and new opportunities for communal gatherings in the Bachman Lake neighborhood.
“We’re excited to be working with our incredible partners in the Bachman Lake area,” says Krista Nightengale, executive director of the Better Block. “Our work has spanned across state and even country lines, and one thing we’ve come to look for in the initial meetings is passionate community members. Bachman Lake has shown that passion, which we know will translate into an impactful space.”
The Better Block’s 120-day process puts the community at the forefront of the planning process. By collaborating with Bachman Lake Together, Lumin Education, and The Dallas Foundation, the community will bring the heart and soul back to the final transformation in the empty lot with hopes of reducing crime.
Over the next couple of months, the leadership team and community volunteers will learn about the importance of placemaking and planning out what the park activation could look like with the goal to attract and engage locals and visitors at the launch leading to the activation this summer.
“For over a decade, our partnership with Lumin Education and The Dallas Foundation has allowed our work to be centered on the voices and needs of our community,” says Olga Hickman, Ph.D., executive director of Bachman Lake Together. “Better Block @ Bachman Lake is a direct result of intentional action to create a space where our families and residents feel safe and committed to. This is only the beginning of unlocking our community’s potential.”
Better Block has developed an open-source library using digital fabrication to create street furniture. Working with the community, the team will design and fabricate pieces specifically for the parking lot transformation.
“This exciting project is a wonderful way to engage families in the Bachman Lake neighborhood, “ says Terry Ford, Executive Director of Lumin Education. “Parents are already buzzing with ideas about how they can create a welcoming and family friendly space, full of fun, engaging activities that will bring joy and learning to the whole community. While this installation is temporary, it is the perfect first step towards raising awareness and building excitement for a long-term, permanent vision for this property as a hub of services for Bachman Lake families.“
The objective is to experiment with ideas, gather feedback, and integrate community input to shape a more vibrant and inviting space at Bachman Lake. The collective goal is to create a dynamic environment where residents can live, work, and come together as a thriving community. The project is seeking community feedback and we want to hear from you. Take the Better Block @ Bachman Lake survey by Feb. 26 to share your input: https://bit.ly/4bwckkp
For more information on this project visit: www.betterblock.org/bachman
About the Better Block Foundation
Better Block Foundation is an urban design nonprofit that educates, equips, and empowers communities and their leaders to reshape and reactivate built environments to promote the growth of healthy and vibrant neighborhoods. Find out more by visiting www.betterblock.org.
About Bachman Lake Together
Bachman Lake Together is a nonprofit, collective-impact initiative that connects families, community partners and supporters in a shared purpose: giving every child in our neighborhood the opportunity to thrive by giving them a solid foundation in the earliest, most critical developmental years of ages 0-5. Learn more at www.bachmanlaketogether.org
About Lumin Education
Lumin Education’s mission is to transform education by starting young, involving parents, and creating learning environments to inspire children from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds. Learn more at www.lumineducation.org
About The Dallas Foundation
The Dallas Foundation connects compassionate people to the causes they care about—improving lives and making visible progress throughout North Texas. Learn more at www.dallasfoundation.org