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Dallas Parks & Recreation reports rising senior participation, $1.4M city funding and WellMed partnership
Summary
Parks & Recreation interim assistant director Steve Baker and staff reported growth in the Active Senior Adult Program (ASAP), described funding sources including a WellMed grant, and outlined upcoming events and operational details; commissioners pressed for expanded outreach and a cost estimate to scale programming.
Steve Baker, interim assistant director for Recreation Services, and Latrice Brown of Dallas Parks & Recreation updated the Senior Affairs Commission on the Active Senior Adult Program (ASAP), which the department uses to deliver health, wellness and social programs for residents aged 60 and older.
Baker said citywide participation has climbed as seniors returned to rec centers following the COVID‑19 period. He reported that 7,014 unique individuals used ASAP in the 2023–24 period and that Parks & Recreation’s fiscal support includes a $1.4 million general fund allocation and a $742,992 grant from the WellMed Charitable Foundation. Baker also said year‑to‑date sponsorship revenue totaled $60,000.
"Our goal this year is to increase participation by at least 5 percent," Baker said. He described program pillars—health and wellness, socialization, and arts and culture—and noted that calendars are tailored to individual centers and neighborhoods.
Staff described operational details for participants: daily scanning using membership cards, a separate card for WellMed locations and a $2 replacement fee for lost city cards. Nonresident seniors may join for a $25 nonresident fee.
Baker outlined upcoming events and dates, including a summer camp with a Downtown Art Walk theme, the Dallas Golden Games opening ceremony set for Sept. 2, and a medieval‑times grand finale on Aug. 1 tied to the camp. He said the department will circulate flyers and coordinate registration through local centers.
Commissioners pressed staff on equity and access. Several raised concerns about lower participation at specific sites and asked whether large events could be brought to District 10 and other neighborhoods; staff said they will schedule games and events across centers and will share facility and schedule details once finalized.
On funding and scaling programs, commissioners asked whether Parks & Recreation has a fundraising vehicle comparable to library “friends” groups and whether staff had quantified the budget needed to offer uniform programming across the system. Staff said they have developed a sponsorship packet and have begun soliciting partners; they also said some internal estimates exist but committed to providing a clearer cost estimate for expanding programming.
Staff said seven city locations operate senior programs and noted logistical barriers—parking, bus capacity and facility space—drive where large events are held. Several commissioners and community members suggested additional outreach channels, including neighborhood newsletters, DART stops and veteran organizations, to increase awareness and address access.
The commission did not take formal action on the report; staff agreed to circulate event flyers and to provide a budget/cost estimate for scaling programming.
