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DFW

(60,437 posts)
Tue May 19, 2026, 05:03 PM Yesterday

I have this friend in Dallas who made a bunch of money and wanted to do something constructive with it. So.......

Not only did his workplace, a company he helped found, give him a comfortable income, but he is an investment wizard. He is no billionaire, but he was probably closing in on a tenth of that. He donates to the arts and to political candidates, although he hasn't really gotten excited about anybody since Howard Dean. Sometimes, I think he just continues to do it to keep me off his back. But he really wanted to do something on a bigger scale (the David Halperin on the board of directors is not the guy I am talking about). So he and the city of Dallas came up with the idea of an inter-neighborhood park that would benefit tens, maybe ultimately hundreds of thousands. He got friends, city planners, community leaders, and a LOT of etc. to contribute ideas and concepts, including to span and connect diverse neighborhoods to promote idea exchange without barriers. Doing that is probably not without its dangers, but I doubt he has overlooked that aspect. He donated somewhere upward of $20 million--a serious chunk of his net worth--to make it reality. What he calls the first phase is now complete. He is looking for co-sponsors to help him with phase two, but it did open recently.

For a brief look at all that is, and will be going on there, the park has its own website: www.halperinpark.org

He had previously told me that he was "donating a park" to the city of Dallas, but he is not one to toot his horn and yell "lookit me!" So, I had just imagined some newly grassy areas on a bridge that spanned two communities, maybe some park benches and a baseball field, What did I know about pavillions, playgrounds and interactive fountains? I do not have the kind of money that allows me to just think up and then realize such undertakings. But he did, and he did. I'm impressed anyway.

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I have this friend in Dallas who made a bunch of money and wanted to do something constructive with it. So....... (Original Post) DFW Yesterday OP
Halperin park kcoates Yesterday #1
He specifically sought out a part of the city that needed a boost. DFW Yesterday #2
Interstate 35 kcoates Yesterday #3
Awesome sauce... ultralite001 Yesterday #4
That park looks incredible, a true achievement. Thank you for sharing it with us. niyad Yesterday #5
Went to the site. Looks lovely! Good on him! electric_blue68 Yesterday #6
Please pass along our appreciation for his kindness and humanity. I am seeing less and less of alwaysinasnit Yesterday #7
I will do that. DFW 18 hrs ago #10
Thank you for providing a personal insight. Given his experience with personal tragedy, it is alwaysinasnit 16 hrs ago #11
Wow!!!! reACTIONary Yesterday #8
Reading this gave me a bit of hope in humanity, now sorely lacking. Bumbles Yesterday #9
So glad to hear this! I was born and raised in Dallas but my experience with the city was much less fortunate. CTyankee 10 hrs ago #12

kcoates

(90 posts)
1. Halperin park
Tue May 19, 2026, 05:09 PM
Yesterday

It's a great park I drive under almost daily! Once the trees mature for more shade it will be fabulous. Long needed in the neglected southern part of Dallas!! Thanks in part to your friend!!

DFW

(60,437 posts)
2. He specifically sought out a part of the city that needed a boost.
Tue May 19, 2026, 05:17 PM
Yesterday

$20 million in Highland Park probably wouldn't buy you much more than a modest mcmansion off of Preston somewhere. (Just guessing--maybe mcmansions are on sale this week?)

His goal was to do something constructive that would survive him. From your description, it sounds like he's on his way toward achieving that goal.

kcoates

(90 posts)
3. Interstate 35
Tue May 19, 2026, 05:31 PM
Yesterday

It's built over interstate 35, similar to Klyde Warren Park on north side of downtown Dallas!

alwaysinasnit

(5,647 posts)
7. Please pass along our appreciation for his kindness and humanity. I am seeing less and less of
Tue May 19, 2026, 07:01 PM
Yesterday

this quality and so I would like to acknowledge it whenever I come across it.

DFW

(60,437 posts)
10. I will do that.
Wed May 20, 2026, 12:59 AM
18 hrs ago

He didn’t do it for the glory. He never sought that. I’ve known him for over fifty years, best men at each other’s weddings, etc. I know him well enough. Our wives are close friends as well, even if they don’t see each other as much as they would like.

He has had some personal tragedy to deal with along the way, too. Fate did bestow on him a certain degree of wealth, but exacted a heavy karma debt along the way. He has come to terms with it all, but I would not trade places with him. Still, when gets an idea, and thinks it can be turned into reality,

alwaysinasnit

(5,647 posts)
11. Thank you for providing a personal insight. Given his experience with personal tragedy, it is
Wed May 20, 2026, 03:27 AM
16 hrs ago

even more special that he provided the means for others to experience enjoyment.

Bumbles

(495 posts)
9. Reading this gave me a bit of hope in humanity, now sorely lacking.
Tue May 19, 2026, 07:11 PM
Yesterday

What a good person.

CTyankee

(68,488 posts)
12. So glad to hear this! I was born and raised in Dallas but my experience with the city was much less fortunate.
Wed May 20, 2026, 09:04 AM
10 hrs ago

I was born there and after high school graduation I left Dallas, never to return except for brief visits with family, over 60 years ago. My parents were aghast when JFK was killed there. Dallas had a thriving arts community which I will always remember fondly

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