City of Dallas ends agreement with Fair Park management company

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Fair Park management co. pressed on misallocated funds

On Thursday, the president of the Oak View Group told the Dallas Park and Recreation Board that if it received a bailout from the city it could make good on its payments within a year.

DALLAS - The City of Dallas announced on Wednesday that it will end its agreement with Fair Park First, the nonprofit that manages Fair Park.

Fair Park First and the for-profit Oak View Group has come under fire in recent months after an audit found $5.7 million donated to improve the area was misused.

Dallas ends agreement with Fair Park First

What we know:

The official termination of the agreement between the city and Fair Park First will take effect in 90 days.

It also ends the subcontracting relationship between Fair Park First and Oak View Group 360.

City leaders say the move is necessary because of the "flawed" existing contract does not have a direct relationship between OVG360 and the city.

Dallas Park and Recreation will take over the daily operations and maintenance of the area, while partnering with a non-profit for third party funding.

Dallas Park and Recreation says it will honor all existing contracts for upcoming park events.

Fair Park First, OVG360 controversy

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Report alleges $5.7M misused for Fair Park improvements

About 24 hours after Fair Park First released a long-awaited accountant’s report, FOX 4 is learning more about the financial mess delaying promises to the community.

The backstory:

Fair Park First has been responsible for the programming, facility operations and maintenance of Fair Park since January 2019.

An accountant report, released in October 2024, revealed that $5.7 million from private donors that was restricted for specific Fair Park projects was used by OVG360 for operating expenses and unqualified projects. 

That’s about a third of the total money raised in the six years since the city awarded the deal to the odd partnership between Fair Park First, a nonprofit organization, and Oak View Group, OVG360’s for-profit umbrella company.

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Fair Park First CEO resigns amid audit of how nonprofit spends its money

CEO Brian Luallen was the driving force behind turning a huge parking lot by the Dos Equis Pavilion into a community park. The plan was to break ground in November of last year, but it remains a parking lot.

Oak View Group later disputed the findings.

FOX 4 also reported on Oak View Group's issues paying its third-party vendors.

READ MORE

• Fair Park First partners with Dallas Foundation to get community park project back on track
• Fair Park management group seeking city bailout to help repay $6M owed to vendors
• Management group disputes claim that $5.7M donated to Fair Park was misspent
• Security company still awaiting payment months after Fair Park event
• Report alleges $5.7M donated for Fair Park improvement was misused
• Fair Park improvement plans for new park facing financial woes
• For-profit managing Fair Park reveals $2 million shortfall, may need city bailout
• Fair Park First CEO resigns amid audit of how nonprofit spends its money

Leaders on end of Fair Park First agreement

"Fair Park is a vital part of our city’s cultural and historic identity," said Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert. "This decision reflects our commitment to ensuring sound stewardship and transparent management of this beloved public asset. The city is prepared to move forward decisively to protect Fair Park’s future. We will work with all our stakeholders to maintain this Crown Jewel of Dallas."

"This step enables us to reset our approach to Fair Park management and is in the best interest of Fair Park, patrons, and the taxpayers of Dallas," said John D. Jenkins, Director, Dallas Park and Recreation Department. "Dallas is firmly committed to developing a new plan that is financially sustainable, vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive in order to propel Fair Park forward so that Dallas residents will be able to enjoy the park year-round."

"This is a decision that I wholeheartedly standby, as I want to ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency are at the top of the list for anyone the City of Dallas chooses to do business with," wrote Dallas City Council member Adam Bazaldua in a statement. "We must track the impact when decisions are made, and when mistakes are made, we must course correct. This decision is designed to put us back on course in revitalizing Fair Park and ensuring its future."