Rendering of the aerial view of the white rock lake playground with slides, swings, climbing structures, walking paths, and green trees surrounded by purple flowering shrubs.

Our Projects

Preserving history.
Building community.
Protecting the lake.

White Rock Lake Conservancy partners with the City of Dallas Parks & Recreation Department to restore, preserve, and enhance White Rock Lake Park for generations to come. From historic Stone Tables renovations to Pave the Way engraved stones, reforestation efforts, and community events like Celebration White Rock, our projects improve Dallas’ most beloved park while honoring its history and ensuring its future.

Current Project

Revitalizing the Stone Tables picnic area

White Rock Lake Conservancy has invested nearly $1 million to complete 3 of the 4 phases of improvements to the Stone Tables area — one of the most popular destinations in the park. This work has restored the historic pavilion, picnic tables, restroom, lily pond, and surrounding grounds. Due to these renovations, the area is now being called a "park within the park" in the master plan for White Rock Lake Park.

The fourth and final phase will replace the outdated playground with a thoughtfully designed, nature-inspired play space created by MESA Design and Kompan Playgrounds. This inclusive area will feature climbing structures, swinging elements, climbing boulders, shaded seating, and a looping path for safe play.

Donate Today

Why It Matters

Rendering of children playing on a green playground structure with a slide and climbing features in White Rock Lake Park in Dallas surrounded by trees and purple flowering bushes.

White Rock Lake Park rendering featuring children and adults enjoying a sunny park with playground equipment, scooters, trees, and stone benches.

Rendering of children playing and adults walking in a sunny park with green trees and blooming purple flowers at White Rock Lake Park in Dallas.

The Impact

why it matters

White Rock Lake Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Dallas Parks and Recreation Department, is bringing a custom-designed, inclusive playground to the Stone Tables. This project will provide safe play for children of all abilities, strengthen community ties, and enhance the long-term vitality of East Dallas.

INCLUSIVE PLAY

The Stone Tables Pavilion and Playground welcome tens of thousands of Dallas families each year. With new Kompan equipment, children of varying ages and abilities will finally enjoy safe, modern, and inclusive play that the current outdated and inaccessible equipment cannot offer.

STRONGER CONNECTIONS

From family picnics and school outings to running groups and volunteers, the Stone Tables has always been a hub for connection. Studies show that renovated parks more than double visitor use, encouraging exercise, creativity, and everyday interactions that build stronger neighborhoods.

Lasting Investment

Investing in parks is an investment in East Dallas’ future. Research shows that proximity to green spaces raises property values while improving community well-being. The new playground’s durable, nature-inspired design will blend into the historic landscape and support children’s health, imagination, and learning for years to come.

Rendering of two girls standing and hugging while reading a memorial plaque on a large rock, with a boy peeking over the rock at White Rock Lake Park in Dallas.

GIVING LEVELS

Your generosity helps bring the Stone Tables Playground to life. Donors of $10,000+ receive name recognition on a prominent plaque within the playground, acknowledgement in WRLC publications and online, and invitations to WRLC events.

leadership levels

At this level of support, your name will be featured on a plaque in the play area, with increased prominence at higher contribution levels.

$250,000 – Vitality Visionary | Playground Equipment 5-12 years
$200,000 – Discovery Champion | Playground Equipment 2-5 years
$150,000 – Imagination Catalyst | Shade Structure
$100,000 – Vanguard of Adventure | Foundation & Drainage System
$75,000 – Wellspring of Wonder | Climbing Boulder
$50,000 – Pioneer of Play | Concrete: ADA Parking, Ramps & Walkway

seeds of legacy

At this level of support, your name will be featured on a plaque in the play area, with increased prominence at higher contribution levels.

$30,000 – Stone Bench
$20,000 – Drinking Fountain
$10,000 – 1 Ornamental Tree

community builders

$5,000 – 1 Canopy Tree
$2,500 – Large Landscape Boulder
$1,000 – Medium Landscape Boulder
$500 – Small Landscape Boulder

Make a Difference

Past projects

For over a decade, White Rock Lake Conservancy has invested in restoration, beautification, and community projects that improve the lake experience for everyone. Here are highlights of our completed projects:

Laying the groundwork

2009 – Funded a new water fountain on the West Trail near the Dog Park and installed a mister at T&P Hill.
2010 – Raised $10,000 in two weeks to purchase new bikes for the Dallas Police Department lake patrol.
2011 – Managed the White Rock Lake Centennial Celebration, raising over $1 million for projects across the park. Created and launched the Pave the Way engraved stone program.
2012 – Selected the Stone Tables renovation as the next major project. Partnered with For the Love of the Lake for reforestation efforts.
2013 – Coordinated with community partners on the Trees Please Reforestation Project at the Stone Tables.

Beginning the Stone Tables Transformation

2014 – Signed a Master Agreement with Dallas Parks & Recreation. Hosted the inaugural Celebration White Rock 5K/10K, raising $17,000 for Stone Tables restoration.
2015 – Donated $113,000 to the City of Dallas to begin the Stone Tables Pavilion Renovation; filled all stones in the first Pave the Way plaza.
2016 – Created a new plaza for custom engraved stones at the spillway.

Major Renovations Underway

2017 – Restored the first two historic stone tables at White Rock Lake.
2018 – Donated six new bicycles to Dallas Police Officers patrolling the lake.
2019 – The Stone Tables Pavilion Restoration received the Preservation Dallas Achievement Award.
2020 – Began construction on the Stone Tables grounds, adding grills, new pathways, drainage improvements, and restoring 11 stone tables.

Historic Preservation & Accessibility

2021 – Completed restoration of the Stone Tables comfort station, including windows designed by Henry Potter.
2022 – Began work on the lily pond restoration, clearing the basin, repairing the pipe, and repaving the bridge.
2023 – WRLC completed Phase 4 of the Stone Tables restoration, including lily pond clearing, new flagstone, a retaining wall, pipe repairs, and an ADA pathway. The team also completed cleanup of the lily pond area, continued selling and installing Pave the Way engraved bricks, and began planning the Stone Tables playground rebuild with the Park Department. Celebration! White Rock raised $52,000 with strong community participation, while North Texas Giving Day brought in $40,309. Membership reached 150 with expanded member benefits, and the Conservancy updated its strategic plan, vision, and mission while engaging new sponsors for the 10th annual Celebration! White Rock.

Continued Community Impact

2024 – WRLC advanced the Stone Tables playground project by working with MESA on design development, gathering bids from three playground companies, and selecting Kompan for turnkey construction. Membership engagement remained strong, with quarterly events at White Rock Alehouse, OHB, and other local partners. The 10th annual Celebration! White Rock raised $92,000, supported by 829 runners and more than 150 attendees, and North Texas Giving Day brought in $47,743. The WRLC holiday party hosted by Molly and Leon Banowetz raised more than $7,000, with an additional $5,000 matching gift from Gary and Joan Kessler.
2025 – WRLC continued progress on the Stone Tables playground, partnering with Kompan and MESA to refine construction estimates to $1.1 million and advancing fundraising efforts. Membership events were hosted across the community, including gatherings at Vector Brewing, the Stone Tables, and the annual holiday party. Celebration White Rock drew 1,000 runners and more than 150 attendees, raising $52,000 for park improvements. WRLC also donated six e-bikes to Dallas Police Officers who patrol White Rock Lake Park and its trails.

This is some Reforestation efforts across multiple years, planting trees at the Stone Tables and throughout White Rock Lake Park.
Pave the Way engraved stones — an ongoing program creating lasting legacies at the Spillway Plaza.
DPD Bike Donations — multiple rounds of support for Dallas Police Department lake patrol units.