The City of Arlington has officially broke ground on the first phase of Al Rollins Park, a new 2.4-acre community space named in honor of former City Manager and visionary engineer Al Rollins, whose work shaped and spurred much of the area’s growth.
Located at 3311 SW Green Oaks Blvd next to the Southwest Branch Library, Al Rollins Park will feature a range of amenities designed to engage residents of all ages and support environmental learning and community connections.
A Tribute to a City Builder
The groundbreaking ceremony held on June 26, drew city leaders, past colleagues, community members and the Rollins family, including his daughter United States Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, together to celebrate Al’s remarkable impact on the City of Arlington. The event included remarks from city officials as well as from Parkhill, which provided pro bono services for the master plan of the park. Parkhill is also contracted for civil and landscape architecture design services.
“It’s truly one of the highest honors a city can give — dedicating a place like this to someone who has given so much,” said current City Manager Trey Yelverton. “This park will stand as an enduring legacy for Al and for generations to come — a place for people to connect, play, learn, and gather.”
In addition to serving as City Manager, Al held many positions with the City of Arlington, including City Engineer, Director of Public Works, and the Director of Utilities. After his time working in the public sector, Al co-founded Schrickel, Rollins & Associates, Inc. (SRA) with business partner Gene Schrickel, specializing in civil engineering and landscape architecture.
The firm continued to work on important public projects within the city, including much of the park system that has helped the city maintain its goal of making sure every Arlington resident lives within 10 minutes of a quality park.
“Any park you see in Arlington today probably has his influence on it,” Trey said, “and all across North Texas, you’ll find Al Rollins’ name on dedication plaques — his impact is everywhere.”
“It’s truly one of the highest honors a city can give — dedicating a place like this to someone who has given so much. This park will stand as an enduring legacy for Al and for generations to come — a place for people to connect, play, learn, and gather.”
Arlington City Manager Trey Yelverton
Connecting a Community
During the planning and design of Al Rollins Park, stakeholders and community members collaborated and provided valuable insights into the unique features and amenities this public space will offer, including:
Innovative playground for multiple age groups
Native pollinator gardens and wildflower areas
Paved walking trail for fitness
Open green space for play and recreation
Interactive monument telling Al Rollins’ story
Parkhill’s Larry Stone, PE, who worked closely with Al throughout his career, shared his hope for the new public space: “When this park is finished — when kids are crawling through pipes on the playground, when families walk these trails and read about what Al accomplished — I hope people will remember not just the projects Al built, but the people he inspired, the community he shaped, and the fun he made sure we all had along the way.”
The City of Arlington believes this project is just another example of their commitment to enhancing and improving the two-century old park system, which carries a ranking of 46th in the national Trust for Public Land’s ParkScore® — rising up from 74th just two years ago.
Council Member Raul Gonzalez said Al Rollins Park reflects two of the Council’s key priorities: supporting youth and families and championing great neighborhoods.
“It will be a place for children to play, for families to grow closer, and for neighbors to come together in a safe, welcoming, enriching environment,” he said. “We believe that great neighborhoods are built not only with streets and homes but also with shared spaces like this — and like our libraries — that foster connection, pride, and well-being.”
A Natural Fit
In 2018, SRA merged with Parkhill. The two firms had already worked together on several projects as partners and trusted advisors in each’s own right, and the many shared values made the merger only more natural. Parkhill gained valuable skills and experience that have helped the firm grow in the Dallas Fort Worth area and led to the formation of its Landscape Architecture and Planning practices. Between the two firms, more than 200 projects have been completed for the City of Arlington.
