Encore Park Update
Welcoming Carrie Smith to Encore Park
First Presbyterian Church of Dallas (FPC Dallas) is pleased to welcome Carrie Smith as Director of Project Development for Encore Park.
Carrie brings a deep love for Dallas and its history, arts, music, and community, along with experience in project development, hospitality, construction, and nonprofit service. In this new role, she will help guide Encore Park's next chapter by bringing renewed life and activity to the campus while honoring the history and vision that has shaped it.
“I am incredibly excited to be part of Encore Park and the First Presbyterian Church of Dallas community,” Carrie said. “There is so much opportunity here, and I look forward to working alongside the congregation, our neighbors, and community partners as we honor the past, activate the present, and build the future.”
Located across the street from FPC Dallas, Encore Park is envisioned as a social-impact campus where human services intersect with music, art, food, learning, and service. The campus includes the historic building at 508 Park Avenue, an amphitheater, and a community garden with 57 raised beds.
Originally opened in 1930 as the Warner Bros. Film Exchange, 508 Park later became an important part of Dallas music history. Brunswick Records operated on the third floor, where producer Don Law organized recording sessions with Robert Johnson, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, and other influential musicians. Today, Encore Park seeks to preserve this remarkable history while creating new opportunities for neighbors and the wider Dallas community to gather, learn, create, and serve.
Help Bring the Encore Park Community Garden Back to Life
One of Carrie’s first projects is already underway, and the congregation is invited to join.
Come to Encore Park on Saturday, September 12, at 7:30 AM for the Community Garden Refresh Volunteer Day. We will begin early to beat the Texas heat as we prepare the garden to welcome students, downtown residents, local restaurants, and members of the wider community once again.
Dallas-based landscape design-build firm AquaGreen Global is completing improvements to the raised beds and trees and installing a new irrigation system serving each garden bed. The Organic Recycler has generously donated 90 cubic yards of soil, and members of its team will join volunteers in filling the beds.
Volunteers are needed to help put the finishing touches on the garden and prepare it for its next chapter. Bring work gloves, wear comfortable clothes, and join us in renewing this special community space.
Encore Park Community Garden Refresh Volunteer Day
Saturday, September 12
7:30 AM
Encore Park
508 Park Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75201
For more information, contact Carrie Smith, Director of Project Development, at 214-418-4767.