The worst best-kept secret in Dallas

How anyone can gain free access to the Arboretum

Story by Emily Toman | Photo by Danny Fulgencio

The Dallas Arboretum is one of the city’s seven “signature parks,” and one of three that requires an admission fee (the others being the Dallas Zoo and Fair Park venues). Because admission costs up to $15 per ticket, however, not all Dallasites can afford to visit this park of theirs, so the Dallas Arboretum donates 15,000 free passes to the city’s park department to help provide access to the gardens.

The problem is, most people don’t know that. Two-thirds of those free passes went unused in 2014.

“Part of the concern expressed by several board members was the lack of awareness,” says Gerry Worrall, park board member for the White Rock area.

Last month, the board approved the Arboretum’s request to increase its parking fee from $10 to $15, now in effect. The added revenue — about $580,000 a year — will help the Arboretum pay off the private loan that allowed it to fund the new $30-million parking garage on Garland Road without taxpayer money.

The price hike won’t affect those with Arboretum memberships, since parking is included. It’s everyone else who’ll have to pay up. Worrall supported the increase and believes it’s a fair trade.

“The Arboretum is an incredible driver in our community,” he says. “I think that in an effort to keep them financially viable, it’s important that we help them do that.”

To alleviate concerns over the gardens becoming too expensive for lower-income families, Arboretum officials agreed to boost the number of annual free tickets, including free parking, to 25,000.

The free tickets are distributed equally among all the city’s recreation centers. Individuals — low-income or not — can walk in and grab up to four tickets at a time. Arboretum staff say they will design posters this year to better advertise the deal at rec centers, but communicating the message generally has been up to the park department.

“We want to make the Arboretum accessible, and we hope that the park department will be able to distribute these free tickets to as many people as possible,” says John

Armstrong, the Arboretum’s vice president of property development.

The Arboretum has other ways of accommodating visitors who can’t afford the fees, particularly through educational programs. More than 11,000 economically disadvantaged students received free science programming last year. The Arboretum also has allocated $21,000 in bus stipends for the coming year to help with transportation costs for low-income students on field trips.

The new parking garage was critical to accommodate the increased attendance expected in the coming years. A feasibility study for the garage in 2012 revealed some important details about the Arboretum’s plans for growth and suggested, even then, raising the parking fee to help pay for the costly garage, which includes an underground tunnel. According to the study, by 2018 even the garage will not be enough, which is why the Arboretum has continued looking at other properties along Garland Road.

The price increase was inevitable, but the now $15 parking fee on top of the $15 admission fee fuels the perception by some that the Arboretum is elitist, pricing out those who can’t afford it. East Dallas Councilman Philip Kingston criticized the park board’s decision via Facebook, saying, “I love the Arboretum, but if it’s going to be subsidized by the taxpayers, it needs to be accessible to the taxpayers.” His park board appointee, Paul Sims, voted against the increase.

The city entered a public-private partnership with the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Society (DABS) in 1982 allowing the gardens to operate on city-owned land and receive an annual stipend to help with overhead costs — roughly 1.5 percent of the Arboretum’s $17.6 million budget last year, according to Arboretum board chairman Brian Shivers.

The Arboretum devotes a section of its website to discounts. For example, if you buy a parking pass online in advance, it costs only $8. And this month, Jan. 5-31, admission drops to $5 during a promotion.

The website does not mention that free tickets are available at rec centers.

In the park department, there is no universal push to inform the public about free access to the gardens. Public relations manager Andrea Hawkins says it’s up to the staff at each rec center. Each of the 15 park board members also receives 50 free passes a year to distribute as they please.

Worrall says the lack of awareness is “easily remedied.” Funding for these types of marketing efforts, often lost during economic downturns, could be built back into the park department budget.

“Now is the time to make that a priority,” he says. “In the meantime, it’s up to the park board member to be aware of what’s available. Certainly, it behooves the Arboretum to make sure people know about it.”

There are two lasting GIFTS we can give our children: One is ROOTS and the other is WINGS.

Skate on Over & Check

CLAIRE’S CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL

8202 Boedeker Dr., / (214) 368-4047 / clairesdayschool.com At CCDS, we encourage a child’s sense of exploration and discovery in a loving, nurturing, and safe environment. We offer a parent’s day out program with a play-based curriculum fostering socialization, motor skill development, and an introduction to academics for children aged 4mo – 3yrs. Our preschool for children aged 3-5 further develops these skills, along with a more focused approach to pre-math and prereading. At CCDS, we have developed our own science, math, and reading enrichment classes to ensure kindergarten preparedness for every child. We make learning fun!

Highlander School

9120 Plano Rd. Dallas / 214.348.3220 / www.highlanderschool.com

Founded in 1966, Highlander School offers an enriched curriculum in a positive, Christian-based environment. Small class sizes help teachers understand the individual learning styles of each student. Give us a call for more information.

The Kessler School

Pre K – 6th Grade / 1215 Turner Ave, Dallas TX 75208 / 214-942-2220 / www. thekesserschool.com The Kessler School offers an innovative academic environment that gives students a solid foundation, confidence, and a love of learning. Located just minutes from downtown Dallas; The Kessler School’s mission is to “educate the whole child,” and provides an individualized approach to teaching – meeting the student where their needs are. Students are educated socially through community time, physically through daily PE, academically through a wellrounded curriculum, and spiritually through a fostering of awareness and individual growth.

Lakehill Preparatory School

Leading to Success. 2720 Hillside Dr., Dallas 75214 / 214.826.2931 / lakehillprep. org Kindergarten through Grade 12 - Lakehill Preparatory School takes the word preparatory in its name very seriously. Throughout a student’s academic career, Lakehill builds an educational program that achieves its goal of enabling graduates to attend the finest, most rigorous universities of choice. Lakehill combines a robust, college-preparatory curriculum with opportunities for personal growth, individual enrichment, and community involvement. From kindergarten through high school, every Lakehill student is encouraged to strive, challenged to succeed, and inspired to excel.

Spanish House

4411 Skillman 214-826-4410 / 5740 Prospect 214-826-6350 / DallasSpanishHouse.com

Spanish Immersion School serving ages 3 month - Adults. We offer nursery, preschool, elementary and adult programs at two Lakewood locations. Degreed, nativeSpanish speaking teachers in an “all-Spanish” immersion environment. Call for a tour today!

ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

1420 Old Gate Ln. Dallas / 214.321.2897 / stbernardccs.org St. Bernard of Clairvaux School has educated children in Forest Hills, Casa Linda and White Rock neighborhoods since 1948. We encourage each student to develop an inquisitive mind, strong moral character and a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. The experienced teaching staff is dedicated to academic excellence with a challenging curriculum and individual attention. We offer affordable tuition, PK through 8th grade, wireless slate technology, extracurricular activities, and after-school care. Please call to schedule a tour.

ST. CHRISTOPHER’S MONTESSORI SCHOOL

7900 Lovers Ln. / 214.363.9391 stchristophersmontessori.com St. Christopher’s Montessori School has been serving families in the DFW area for over a quarter of a century. We are affiliated with the American Montessori Society and our teachers are certified Montessori instructors. Additionally our staff has obtained other complimentary educational degrees and certifications, including having a registered nurse on staff. Our bright and attractive environment, and highly qualified staff, ensures your child will grow and develop in an educationally sound, AMS certified loving program. Now Enrolling.

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

848 Harter Rd., Dallas 75218 / 214.328.9131 / stjohnsschool.org

Founded in 1953, St. John’s is an independent, co-educational day school for Pre-K through Grade 8. With a tradition for academic excellence, St. John’s programs include a challenging curriculum in a Christian environment along with instruction in the visual and performing arts, Spanish, German, French, and opportunities for athletics and community service.St. John’s goal for its students is to develop a love for learning, service to others, and leadership grounded in love, humility, and wisdom. Accredited by ISAS, SAES, and the Texas Education Agency.

The Winston School

5707 Royal Lane Dallas, Tx 75229 / 214691-6950 / www.winston-school.org If your bright child struggles with things like Attention and Concentration, Executive Functioning and Dyslexia, The Winston School may be able to help. The Winston School has a robust academic program which prepares a student for college while at the same time developing the whole child. We understand bright children who learn differently and recognize their unique gifts and talents. Celebrating and validating these assets with our students enables them to discover who they are, and empowers them to be consistently successful. The Winston School brings hope for today and a road map for tomorrow. School Preview: January 11th from 2-4 p.m.

White Rock North School

9727 White Rock Trail Dallas / 214.348.7410 / WhiteRockNorthSchool.com

6 Weeks through 6th Grade. Our accelerated curriculum provides opportunity for intellectual and physical development in a loving and nurturing environment. Character-building and civic responsibility are stressed. Facilities include indoor swimming pool, skating rink, updated playground, and state-of-the-art technology lab. Kids Club on the Corner provides meaningful after-school experiences. Summer Camp offers field trips, swimming, and a balance of indoor and outdoor activities designed around fun-filled themes. Accredited by SACS. Call for a tour of the campus.

Zion Lutheran School

6121 E. Lovers Ln. Dallas / 214.363.1630 / ziondallas. org Toddler care thru 8th Grade. Serving Dallas for over 58 years offering a quality education in a Christ-centered learning environment. Degreed educators minister to the academic, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of students and their families. Before and after school programs, Extended Care, Parents Day Out, athletics, fine arts, integrated technology, Spanish, outdoor education, Accelerated Reader, advanced math placement, and student government. Accredited by National Lutheran School & Texas District Accreditation Commissions and TANS. Contact Principal Jeff Thorman.

of our 200,000+ readers with average income of $146,750 want more info about private schools.

Baptist

LAKESIDE BAPTIST / 9150 Garland Rd / 214.324.1425

Worship — 8:30 am Classic & 11:00 am Contemporary

Pastor Jeff Donnell / www.lbcdallas.com

PARK CITIES BAPTIST CHURCH / 3933 Northwest Pky / pcbc.org

All services & Bible Study 9:15 & 10:45. Trad. & Blended (Sanctuary),

Contemporary (Great Hall), Amigos de Dios (Gym) / 214.860.1500

PRESTONWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH / “A Church to Call Home”

Sundays: Bible Fellowship (all ages) 9:15 am /Service Time 11:00 am

12123 Hillcrest Road / 972.820.5000 / prestonwood.org

WILSHIRE BAPTIST / 4316 Abrams / 214.452.3100

Pastor George A. Mason Ph.D. / Worship 8:30 & 11:00 am

Bible Study 9:40 am / www.wilshirebc.org

Bible Churches

NORTH HIGHLANDS BIBLE CHURCH / www.nhbc.net / 9626 Church Rd.

Sunday: LifeQuest (all ages) 9:00 am / Worship 10:30 am

Student Ministry: Wednesday & Sunday 7:00 pm / 214.348.9697

Disciples Of Christ

EAST DALLAS CHRISTIAN CHURCH / 629 N. Peak Street / 214.824.8185

Sunday School 9:30 am / THE TABLE Worship 9:30 am

Worship 8:30 & 10:50 am / Rev. Deborah Morgan-Stokes / edcc.org

Lutheran

CENTRAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA / 1000 Easton Road

Sunday School for all ages 9:00 am / Worship Service 10:30 am

Pastor Rich Pounds / CentralLutheran.org / 214.327.2222

FIRST UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH / 6202 E Mockingbird Ln.

Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am / Call for class schedule. 214.821.5929 / www.dallaslutheran.org

Methodist

LAKE HIGHLANDS UMC / 9015 Plano Rd. / 214.348.6600 / lhumc.com

Sunday Morning: 9:30 am Sunday School / 10:30 am Coffee

Worship: 8:30 am & 10:50 am Traditional / 10:50 am Contemporary

WHITE ROCK UNITED METHODIST / www.wrumc.org

1450 Oldgate Lane / 214.324.3661

Sunday Worship 10:50 am / Rev. Mitchell Boone

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

LAKE HIGHLANDS CHURCH / 9919 McCree / 214.348.0460

Sundays: Classes 9:30, Coffee 10:25, Assembly 10:45 Home groups meet on weeknights. / lakehighlandschurch.org

Presbyterian

LAKE HIGHLANDS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH / 214.348.2133

8525 Audelia Road at NW Hwy. / www.lhpres.org

9:00 am Contemporary, 9:55 am Christian Ed., 11:00 am Traditional

NORTHRIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH / 6920 Bob-O-Link Dr. 214.827.5521 / www.northridgepc.org / Welcomes you to Worship

Summer Worship: May 25 - Aug. 31 / 10:00am / Childcare provided.

Unity

UNITY OF DALLAS / A Positive Path for Spiritual Living

6525 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX 75230 / 972.233.7106 / UnityDallas.org 10:30 am Sunday - Celebration Worship Service