Rendering of part of Harold Simmons Park with bike and skate park in foreground. [Image: Trinity Park Conservancy]

Diana Rivas-Smith and Leora Falkin have been appointed directors of philanthropy at Trinity Park Conservancy, expanding the advancement team at a pivotal time in the creation of Harold Simmons Park, a transformative project aimed at redefining Dallas’ relationship with its riverfront.

“Harold Simmons Park is more than a park; it is Dallas’ boldest civic statement,” Trinity Park Conservancy CEO Tony Moore said in a statement. “Our expanded team ensures that donors who want to shape the future of Dallas have the opportunity to transform the core of our region and build a vibrant legacy for future generations.”

The $325 million park near downtown, which broke ground in April, will feature a 40,000-square-foot event lawn, an event center, a six-tower playground, a water play area, picnic groves, a skate and bike park, a cable ferry, and more.

Envisioned as 250 acres of green space along the Trinity River, the park has already inspired millions in philanthropic investment from leaders who see its once-in-a-generation impact, the conservancy said.

Rivas-Smith and Falkin will work alongside Chief Advancement Officer Lindsay Abernethy, Director of Philanthropy Tiffany Vega, Philanthropy Officer Marie Facini, and Advancement Manager Patricia Johnson. Collectively, the team brings decades of experience raising hundreds of millions of dollars across health, place-based initiatives, conservation, arts and culture, human services and STEM education, with additional backgrounds in travel, tourism marketing and regional development, according to the announcement.

Once complete, the conservancy said, Harold Simmons Park will host cultural programs, recreation, education, and shared experiences made possible through major philanthropy, while welcoming support from donors of all backgrounds to build a “landmark of beauty, innovation, and inclusivity.”

Meet the new directors

Diana Rivas-Smith brings significant experience in donor and membership engagement, philanthropy, and strategic development. She has led cultivation, acquisition, and stewardship initiatives at The Dallas Opera, the American Heart Association, and the Dallas Regional Chamber. A South Dallas resident, she has also worked globally in the luxury travel and arts industries.

Leora Falkin has built a career in fundraising and leadership development, the conservancy said. Most recently, she served as director of membership growth and operations at Leadership Now Project, overseeing national engagement and expansion. She also managed multi-million-dollar fundraising and advocacy initiatives at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

The conservancy said Falkin and Rivas-Smith add to team members’ extensive backgrounds at organizations including Buckner International, the George W. Bush Presidential Center, HGTV, Interfaith Family Services, Jubilee Park & Community Center, Methodist Health System, National Math & Science Initiative, The Nature Conservancy, North Texas Public Broadcasting, SMU Lyle School of Engineering, Texas Health Resources, and Tripadvisor.

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R E A D   N E X T

  • The “transformational” park along the Trinity River near downtown Dallas will feature a 40,000-square-foot event lawn, an event center, a “six-tower” playground, a water play area, picnic groves, a skate and bike park, a unique cable ferry, and more. And as last night’s event showed, fun will be had by all.

  • The $8.6 million grant has been awarded to the city of Dallas on behalf of Fair Park First and the Community Park and will be distributed through the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program.

  • Chris Lyons has worked with some of the world’s most renowned brands in hospitality, zoos, parks and attractions. He’ll now be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the planned Halperin Park in Southern Dallas (formerly known as Southern Gateway Park).

  • Founded in 2012, Universal DX is focused on “cracking cancer’s code” via its multi-omics and machine learning models. Starting with colorectal cancer, it’s building a “multi-cancer platform” that can ID the unique DNA regions associated with different types of cancers.

  • Conner—a serial entrepreneur, investor, and chief payment and logistics officer at Just Park U.S.—took part in the recent reopening of Dallas’ historic Reverchon Park Baseball Field, following a multi-million-dollar renovation that has “restored it to greatness.”