In the Oak Cliff Parks project, Dallas County Master Gardeners (DCMGs) partner with the Friends of Oak Cliff Parks (FOCP) in their common mission to restore and maintain the gardens in the historic parks of Oak Cliff.  Lake Cliff Park Garden and Kiest Memorial Garden are graced with beautiful formal gardens, perennial beds, demonstration gardens, and butterfly/pollinator gardens. They also share the remarkable work of the WPA in the water rill and pergola at Kiest Memorial Garden and the pavilions at Lake Cliff Park.

Kidd Springs Park
722 West Canty Street, Dallas, TX 75208

Kiest Memorial Garden and Water Rill
2101 West Kiest Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75224

Lake Cliff Park
300 East Colorado Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75303

Oak Cliff Founders Park
1409 North Zang Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75203

The Japanese Garden at Kidd Springs, as it ascends the hillside from the lake, is dotted with antiquities dating from the mid-1600s. The extensive restoration planned by the Dallas Park and Recreation Department has been delayed by the pandemic.

In 2019 Master Gardeners and FOCP volunteers replaced the roses that were ravaged by Rose Rosette Disease at Lake Cliff Park with a beautiful award-winning garden featuring several varieties of abelia.  Similar to the crape myrtle garden installed there in 2018, each type of abelia was identified and linked to the FOCP website, giving additional information on each specific plant.  Additional perennial plantings were added as part of the final renovation phase surrounding the Pineapple Fountain.

While Oak Cliff Founders Park provides a sweeping view of downtown Dallas from its rocky perch, the Kiest Conservation Area offers approximately 80 acres of natural space with walking trails winding through woods and wildflower-dotted meadows. Like Lake Cliff Park, Kiest Memorial Garden has  suffered severe damage due to Rose Rosette Disease.  The proposed redesign of the garden will replace the lost roses with several varieties of perennial hibiscus. We expect this to be a multi-year design and installation project, providing a blank canvas for those interested in formal garden design.

We will continue our involvement with the city in its planning and design for the restoration, as well as continue our work in support of all of the Oak Cliff parks.