Board weighs White Rock Lake activities study as dredge, safety and contracts remain priorities

Park staff told the Dallas Park and Recreation Board on Aug. 21 they plan to issue a request for proposals this fall for a 3–6 month study of activities on White Rock Lake to examine operations, governance, infrastructure, revenue and water safety.

Ryan O'Connor, who introduced the White Rock Lake activities management plan, told the board: "We thought it may be also appropriate to take a look at what happens on water from a programming perspective." The proposed scope includes reviewing current water operations, governance and access regulations; assessing docks, slips and rental facilities; identifying revenue opportunities; and recommending safety and long‑term programming priorities.

Several board members questioned the timing of a consultant study while the city is already designing a long‑planned dredge project. "We have sustainability issues with water sports at White Rock," Park Board member Mister Dickey said, pointing to siltation, debris in feeder creeks and ongoing uncertainty about when construction funding will be available. Dickey and others urged staff to prioritize coordination on the dredge and environmental cleanup before spending on a separate consultant study.

Director Jenkins and staff responded that the dredge design is underway and that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers partnership recently added roughly $2 million to the project. Jenkins said design work is at about 30% and a consultant contract related to dredging and community engagement will come before the board in the fall. "We have every expectation that there will be a dredge project, construction effort or dredging effort here the next few years," Jenkins said.

Board members also raised questions about contracts with lake operators, the role of the utility department in lake maintenance and how revenue and safety issues should be shared among stakeholders. Park Board member Vinay Agarwal urged a broad look at infrastructure and partner responsibilities: "Everyone wants the piece of our property, but no one is wanting to share the responsibility," he said.

Staff said the activities study sought to fill a gap in programming analysis related to water uses and would not replace work underway on the dredge. The board asked staff to clarify scope, timing and funding, and whether the project would draw from bond reprogramming identified by a council member. Members requested that staff return with a memo tying the study to ongoing dredge design and to identify specific deliverables and a community engagement plan.