John Jenkins, the park department director, said at a park board meeting Thursday there\u2019s an urgency to start executing plans for Fair Park, which could see event opportunities, but also has seen millions <\/b>in maintenance needs<\/a>. He added that it\u2019s important the surrounding community is included in Fair Park\u2019s revitalization.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s been too many promises broken,\u201d Jenkins said. \u201cThere\u2019s been too many startups not delivered.\u201d<\/p>\n Breaking News<\/p>\n By signing up, you agree to our\u00a0Terms of Service<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n The fate of a planned, $39 million community park expected on the fairgrounds<\/a> remained unclear Thursday as city staff briefed the park board on the next steps.<\/p>\n The city plans to retain control of the overall operations, but private companies could be tapped for things like sales, security, food and other aspects, said Ryan O\u2019Connor, deputy director of the park department. Fair Park is working to secure short-term agreements. There isn\u2019t time to wait for a structure to emerge organically, he told board members.<\/p>\n \u201cWe really need to implement change now so that the park can be a thriving community asset and economic asset to the city,\u201d <\/b>O\u2019Connor said.<\/p>\n Related<\/p>\n Jenkins, the park department director, noted the presentation was \u201cvery high-level,\u201d meant to provide vision similar to previous plans for Fair Park. It was important, he said, to get started attracting events and operating while the city figures out the final structure for governance over the park.<\/p>\n Jenkins also said the public deserves a revenue-generating Fair Park, with events like festivals or concerts. He pointed to the past several years, <\/b>during which the park was managed privately, as a reason for the urgency in getting the park up and running.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat has failed is the governance, the execution and failure to maintain Fair Park,\u201d Jenkins said.<\/p>\n The city owns Fair Park but handed over management and operations of the venue to Fair Park First and OVG360, Oak View Group\u2019s hospitality division.<\/p>\n The nonprofit and the OVG360, which also handles operations at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, were put under a microscope after a report revealed the amount<\/a> of restricted donor funds spent on park operations.<\/p>\n Several vendors are yet to receive payments for their services. Jenkins has also accused OVG of not making basic repairs<\/a> at buildings such as the Texas Discovery Gardens and Music Hall.<\/p>\n Under these circumstances, the city decided to end its contract with Fair Park First and OVG in June<\/a>. <\/b>Since then, a transition team has been cobbled together to take over operations at Fair Park.<\/p>\n At the meeting Thursday, staff highlighted Fair Park\u2019s value, striking comparisons or gaining inspiration from places like the Rose Bowl in California or Chapultepec Park in Mexico.<\/p>\n O\u2019Connor told board members that more than 4 million people visit the fairgrounds every year. The Cotton Bowl at the grounds<\/a> is newly renovated. He added that it\u2019s home to several successful partners like the African American Museum, Broadway Dallas and, of course, the State Fair of Texas.<\/p>\n Among the recommendations, O\u2019Connor said it was important to have regularly occurring programs that would create small business opportunities. Areas like the Leonhardt Lagoon could be used for recurring events like movie nights or concert series.<\/p>\n Part of the strategy involves partnering with nonprofits, which bring in philanthropy. It would mean creating a new Cotton Bowl Foundation, along with developing or partnering with a nonprofit to focus on the park\u2019s arts and cultural assets, venues and agricultural facilities.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WNNFQAQC4JCS3CVAJSYSJEIZ74.jpg\")
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