In a recent meeting of the Council Committee Parks, Trails & Environment in Dallas, officials gathered to discuss a significant update on park safety and security. Under the bright lights of city hall, Kevin Munday, the superintendent of the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department, introduced a collaborative project aimed at enhancing safety measures across the city’s parks.

The highlight of the presentation was the unveiling of the Dallas Parks Safety Dashboard, developed in partnership with the Office of Data Analytics and Business Intelligence. This innovative tool is designed to automate reporting on park ranger and marshal activities, transitioning from a cumbersome quarterly reporting system to a streamlined daily update. Munday emphasized the importance of this shift, noting that the previous manual reporting process consumed around 60 hours of staff time, making it impractical given current staffing levels.

Dr. Brenda Andrzejk, the city’s chief data officer, elaborated on the dashboard's capabilities, which will allow both residents and internal teams to access real-time data on park safety. This includes insights into where citations and warnings are issued, enabling park officials to respond proactively to safety concerns. The dashboard aims to enhance transparency and communication, ensuring that the community is informed about safety measures and incidents as they happen.

The committee also discussed the strategic focus areas outlined in the park safety and security plan, which include interagency initiatives, community engagement, and safety strategy guidelines. The new dashboard is expected to play a crucial role in identifying safety hotspots, allowing park rangers and marshals to concentrate their efforts where they are most needed.

As the meeting concluded, the committee members expressed their support for the initiative, recognizing its potential to significantly improve safety in Dallas parks. With the implementation of the Dallas Parks Safety Dashboard, residents can look forward to a more secure and responsive park environment, fostering a greater sense of community and well-being.