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DALLAS (Oct. 21, 2014) — The Urban Land Institute (ULI) announced Klyde Warren Park as the winner of its prestigious Urban Open Space Award at the organization’s Fall Meeting in New York City today. The annual competition recognizes successful public spaces that have socially and economically enriched and revitalized their communities. Klyde Warren Park was designed by The Office of James Burnett, landscape architect known for its award-winning projects, and was selected among five finalists.

The Urban Open Space Award was established in 2009 through the generosity of Amanda M. Burden, former New York City planning commissioner and 2009 recipient of the ULI J.C. Nichols Prize for Visionaries in Urban Development. In recognition of the award, Klyde Warren Park will receive $10,000. Chairman of the park Jody Grant, his wife and board member Sheila, and Jim Burnett accepted the award on behalf of the park.

“The national recognition from ULI is an incredible honor. It attests to the enormous impact that Klyde Warren Park has had on Dallas and demonstrates the power of public green space,” said Tara Green, president of Klyde Warren Park. “By giving the community a central gathering space in the heart of our city, Klyde Warren Park has become one of Dallas’ – and the region’s – top destinations. The visionary leaders behind this project – Sheila and Jody Grant, our Board, The Real Estate Council, The City of Dallas and so many more – are to be applauded for their vision and hard work. Similarly, The Office of James Burnett, the project architect, and Thomas Phifer and Partners, the architect of the restaurant and the performance pavilion, are to be congratulated for their extraordinary designs. We are also extremely grateful to Biederman Redevelopment Ventures for their creative programming and usage concepts.”

“Klyde Warren is not only successful in fixing an urban fracture that isolated development and challenged the existing potential for the area; it also demonstrates that a long-term vision and commitment are critical to foster a sense of place and community, with lasting positive rippling effects,” said M. Leanne Lachman, Chair of the ULI Global Awards for Excellence Jury and President of Lachman Associates.

“Great cities have great parks, and Klyde Warren Park has quickly become the new heart of downtown Dallas. A place to gather, full of activities and fascination features, where everyone is welcome,” said James Burnett of The Office of James Burnett.

The receipt of this hallmark award coincides with Klyde Warren Park’s second anniversary celebration this week. During Oct. 22-25, the park will celebrate “turning two” with evening performances and a family festival, featuring many of the park’s popular programs. The free concerts will feature a Jackopierce/Dallas Symphony Orchestra duo, an Open Classical set and The Dallas Opera’s The Marriage of Figaro, simulcast live from the Winspear Opera House to Klyde Warren Park.

The park’s second year was as notable as its first, marked by the ULI Open Space Award, LEED Gold certification and a host of memorable events, including the U.S. Conference of Mayors, a World Cup watch party and the opening of Southwest Airlines’ The Southwest Porch at Klyde Warren Park. Additionally, attendance during the park’s two years is approaching two million visitors, and the park’s restaurant, Savor, and its companion kiosk, Relish, celebrated their one year anniversary in September. Savor’s patio was voted ‘Best Patio Dining’ in 2014 by D Magazine.

The Office of James Burnett worked closely with the park’s entire design and construction team, which in addition to Thomas Phifer and Partners, includes Bjerke Management Solutions (Program Manager), Jacobs Engineering (Structural & Civil Engineer), Biederman Redevelopment Ventures (Park Operations Consultant), The Johnson Studios (Restaurant Interiors), Archer Western (Deck Contractor), McCarthy Building Companies (Park Improvement Contractor), Schmidt & Stacy Consulting Engineers, Inc. (Restaurant MEP Engineer), WARE Architecture (LEED Consultant), Endres Design Studios (Specialty Structural Engineer), and Fluidity Design Consultants (Water features).

“ULI North Texas is extremely proud to have this significant award come to North Texas for the first time,” said Pamela Stein, ULI North Texas Executive Director. “It raises our region’s visibility with the global real estate community and strengthens the international stature of North Texas.”

The other four finalists in the 2014 program included Columbus Commons and Scioto Mile in Columbus, Ohio; Guthrie Green in Tulsa, Okla.; The Railyard Park and Plaza in Santa Fe, N.M.; and Washington Park in Cincinnati, Ohio.

About Klyde Warren Park
Klyde Warren Park is a 5.2-acre deck park, bridging Uptown Dallas to Downtown Dallas. The park includes a performance pavilion, restaurant, dog park, children’s park, great lawn, shaded walking paths, water features, free Wi-Fi, ping pong and foosball tables, and a reading and games area. The mission of Klyde Warren Park is to provide free daily programs to all visitors. Klyde Warren Park is privately operated and managed by the Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.