ABOUT TURTLE CREEK CONSERVANCY
Dallas is always growing. But, amidst new projects, steel being erected, and concrete being poured, there is a green space tucked into one of Dallas’ most beautiful and historic neighborhoods…that green space is Turtle Creek Park.
This 20-acre park is a refuge from city which has been protected and preserved for decades, so that the people of our city have a place to stretch their legs, play, contemplate, and celebrate. The group of dedicated citizens who consider it their privilege to care for this park make up the membership of Turtle Creek Conservancy.
Our Role
The Turtle Creek Conservancy is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that holds a stewardship agreement with the City of Dallas to manage and maintain the 20-acre Turtle Creek Park, along with historic Arlington Hall. Together, our staff, volunteers, and supporters preserve and enhance the City’s second oldest park for today’s visitors and for future generations. We are committed to the conservation, preservation, and exceptional care of Turtle Creek Park and Arlington Hall, while creating a public space for physical and mental wellness, connection, entertaining, and educational programs.
Our Impact
20 acres
of green park space
131 years
of preserved history
14,000 residents
within a 10-minute walk
22,297 vehicles
pass the park daily on Turtle Creek Boulevard
62% increase
in visitors to the park over an 8-year period
$9 million+
in private dollars invested in this urban gem
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Turtle Creek Conservancy privately contracts for mowing and landscape care in the Formal Garden, Pavilion area, Judy Goff Pittman Formal Garden and other garden landscaped garden spaces. In addition, the Conservancy privately funds arbor specialists to maintain trees, remove sucker branches and dead limbs, and open up the canopy to encourage grass growth and tree health. We secure donations to ensure that the park is forested for generations to come and that landscaped beds are maintained and replanted. We fund tree care like fertilization, specialized watering to minimize stress from heat as well as protection from of treatment of diseases. The Conservancy also takes care of three on-site fountains; the Hibiscus Fountain on the East Parcel, the Judy Goff Pittman Formal Garden Fountain, and the Magnolia Terrace Fountain. In addition to the park, we also conserve and fund the care for Arlington Hall, an historic building and event space, built in 1939 as a 2/3 replica of Arlington House. Restored in 2002 and updated in 2023, Arlington Hall hosts Conservancy meetings and events as well as private weddings, receptions and corporate events.
To rent Arlington Hall, you will work with the event staff at FGF Catering. They will work with your budget and consult with you on a range of Arlington Hall rental rates and catering packages, taking into consideration your event date and time, size of your guest list and nature of your event. You can reach Director of Catering Sales at asiers@ciemail.com or call (214) 520-8611.
The Turtle Creek Conservancy handles park rental requests that do not involve any catering. (FGF Catering books catered events). Please contact us for more information.
Supporting the park is simple. You can make a donation, attend or sponsor one of our events, join the Turtle Creek Conservancy or even host your next event at Arlington Hall or the park. (100% of the rental fee goes to Turtle Creek Conservancy to help care for Turtle Creek Park and Arlington Hall). Merchants can also donate in-kind products or services. We need and welcome your support!
Caring for Turtle Creek Park and Arlington Hall includes expenses related to landscaping, tree care, irrigation repair, sidewalk repair, plant and tree replacement, light bulb replacement, new lighting, painting, maintenance of HVAC and other systems, etc., and the coordination of all of these services. Your donation helps the Conservancy provide an elevated level of care, which is what helps keep Turtle Creek Park beautiful.
The Turtle Creek Conservancy is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has had a stewardship contract with the City of Dallas for 25 years to care for historic Turtle Creek Park and Arlington Hall. The park is almost 20 acres at the center of the Turtle Creek Corridor and runs across Turtle Creek Boulevard to the Katy Trail, and also includes the parcel between Hall Street and Bowen Street. We raise the essential private funding needed to give an elevated level of care to Turtle Creek Park compared to other Dallas city parks. We do this by raising funds through events at Arlington Hall and Conservancy fundraisers, sponsorships, and “memberships” which we call Park Supporters.
The Turtle Creek Association (TCA) has a beautification agreement with the City of Dallas for the medians and color beds in the Turtle Creek Corridor from Highland Park to Reverchon Park. TCA funds the seasonal plant material which is then installed by City of Dallas Park and Recreation staff.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Turtle Creek Conservancy is pleased to share recent financial audits. Readers are encouraged to view these figures with the insight that the Conservancy shifted from cash basis to accrual accounting in 2018. Financial transparency is an important tenet of the Turtle Creek Conservancy. If you have any questions about these financial documents, please contact Fran Filomio, Director of Operations and Special Events, at fran@turtlecreekconservancy.org or 214-521-2003 ext. 13.
Audited financials are available below for the years 2018 through 2022.