Dallas celebrates reopening of Reverchon Park ballfield after community-led restoration

Dignitaries, school leaders and neighborhood advocates gathered at Reverchon Park in Dallas to celebrate the ribbon-cutting and reopening of the historic ballfield, which city and school officials described as both a city park and the home field for the North Dallas High School Bulldogs.

Council Member Jesse Moreno (District 2) thanked neighbors and park advocates for their role in preserving the field, said the reopening was a “home run” for the community and closed his remarks by saying, “Let’s play ball.”

The restoration was described by Dallas Independent School District officials and park leaders as a public–private effort. John Dollender, DISD chief of partnerships, said, “We had, 800,000, donated through 3 different partnerships,” naming the SeaLark Foundation, a donation from former Ranger Michael Young and contributions from the Friends of Reverchon Park. Park and Recreation Director John Jenkins thanked city crews and the contractor STECA Enterprise and said the renovations preserve more than 100 years of local baseball history.

Dallas ISD Board President Joe Carrion called the field an investment in young people and in the community; Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde, speaking to the crowd and honoring the 1965 state champions in attendance, began her remarks with a Babe Ruth quote: “Don’t let the fear of striking out hold you back.” Former superintendent Michael Hinojosa described the project as personal and praised the coalition that kept the ballpark from being repurposed.

Several speakers recounted the months and years of grassroots organizing that helped block plans to transfer or demolish the site. Park board member Fania Naomi Mandel said neighbors and volunteers rallied — including a petition her young son helped lead — to protect the park from proposals she described as attempts to "give away this city land." Organizers credited the Restore Reverchon Friends group with raising funds and overseeing parts of the restoration.

Officials asked alumni and community members who had played on the field to join a commemorative photo behind a memory wall and invited local teams to resume using the facility. The program concluded with city and school officials and community leaders gathering up front to cut the ribbon and formally reopen the ballfield for play.