Ain't Gonna Work on Samuell Farm No More? The City Would Like to Sell Beloved Property.

By Robert Wilonsky Mon., Jun. 14 2010 at 9:55 AM

Categories: City Hall, News

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The entirety of Samuell Farm in an aerial snapshot taken by Hugh Brooks's now-defunct Friends of the Farm

I expect this won't be our last item on this subject today, given the years of blood, toil, tears and sweat that have been spilled over Samuell Farm. But just a little more than a year after the city and Texas Attorney General's Office hashed out an agreement over the property donated to Dallas by philanthropist and physician W.W. Samuell in 1937, the city's considering parting with two of the largest and most beloved parcels -- not only Samuell Farm, which covers a total of 609 acres, but also Samuell New Hope Park, which is about 120 acres.

I noticed it this morning on the Park and Rec board's agenda for Thursday; also on the auction block, potentially, are Elgin B. Robertson (which we already knew Mary Suhm's considering selling to offset some of the $131-million budget shortfall) and the 25-acre Joey Georgusis Park. But the Samuell properties will be no easy sell.

First Assistant City Attorney Chris Bowers, who worked on that agreement with the AG's office, tells Unfair Park this morning that not only will voters have to approve the sale -- a special election would take place November 2 -- but a district court would also have to allow for the modification of the 1940 trust agreement. Samuell donated the land to the city with the stipulation that it was "not to be sold."

Bowers says no buyer has been lined up yet -- this is still in its "conceptual" phase. But the AG's office has been notified of the city's desire to sell the property, yet another indication that this year's budget-cutting is more like a budget-gutting.

"The city is contemplating selling Samuell Farm as well as every other park outside of our main city limits," Bowers tells Unfair Park this morning: "And there may be one or two within the city limits where staff believes we have an abundance of parks. Due to an extremely tough budget situation, the city is finding it hard to justify to voters why we spend money maintaining parks very few citizens use."

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I was supervisor over the grounds maintenance at Samuell from 1991 to 1999. We had an awesome team and put on some terrific events and daily activities to the schools around the area. I am very proud to have been a part of Samuell Farm and cherish the Many great memories. But I suppose as they say "all good things must come to an end".
I was supervisor over the grounds at Samuell Farm from 91 to 99. We had a great team and had a blast and some AWESOME events until they broke that all up. I know there are thousands of people who agree with me.
follow the link 'not to be sold' and you'll find that back in 1937 W.W. Samuell saw that : "$1,222,000 was awarded to the Dallas Park and Recreation Department, along with approximately 900 acres of developed and undeveloped property. Samuell�s gift is the largest single donation to the Park Department and was for many years one of the largest bequests ever made to the City of Dallas." How little respect Dallas has now for such a generous gift during the great depression!
What is unclear about 'not to be sold.' Surely this simple string of words cannot be misunderstood, unless of course, you discount it 25% by removing the first of them and making it 'to be sold.' If they want to sell something sell the Myerson. I have about as much of a chance of using that as painting my head blue. I will go to a nice suburban park. Oh wait, I don't live in Dallas county. I moved to escape this nonsense.
Sell whole City,when this group finish,it won't be worth a dam.City using President Obama stimulus money on Deck Park,crazy,16 million could have fixed many streets,Conservatives in this town, sure spent that money in a liberal way.How much does it cost,to operate something free? All this is foolish.Not the way to lead or run a city.They all knew this was coming,City could market all their wonderful venues in Fair park and other places to bring in money,but they don't.Not one new idea to enhance revenue,other than keep going up on water rate, another free gift from above,with 100% profit.
If you are going to sell these Parks, you might as well add Fair Park to the mix.....it makes as much sence. I do hope the Park Board members derail these crazy ideas of selling park land. Just pull back from maintaining these venues to cut costs. Privatized Fair Park....do like the zoo did, get the State Fair Assn to run Fair Park......if they will. But don't sell park land.....that is lunacy...
If you are going to sell these Parks, you might as well add Fair Park to the mix.....it makes as much sence. I do hope the Park Board members derail these crazy ideas of selling park land. Just pull back from maintaining these venues to cut costs. Privatized Fair Park....do like the zoo did, get the State Fair Assn to run Fair Park......if they will. But don't sell park land.....that is lunacy...
Hey...as I always say...nothing is impossible for someone who doesn't have to do it. I read on the other post that the Samuell Trust apparently pays a large portion of the annual maintenance and operational costs of the farm. As far as the DECK PARK, how much can it costs to constantly replace dead plants and hose urine off of the hardscape? "Spare" intern? Is there any other kind?
Wanna Know, got a spare intern?
Sotiredofitall, the Samuel properties have their own trust for management, but then Dallas can't seem to manage it either. I could see parting with the 120 acres on the New Hope side because it is completely disconnected from the rest. Used to be an model aircraft flying site until people couldn't handle (GASP!) the noise of the tiny aircraft and they plowed up the landing strip. Used to have fond memories going out there with my Dad to watch them fly.
Robert, would it be possible to determine the projected annual maintenance and operation costs for the new DECK PARK, so we can compare that figure with the annual maintenance and operational costs of the Samuell Farm park?
Who cares about 609 acres of semi-rural park full of natural flora and fauna, way off in the burbs? What Dallas really, really needs is its new DECK PARK. Shoot, five acres of traffic noise, smog and glass box glare never looked so good.
My guess is that 80% plus of the Dallas and surrounding area population don't know Samuell Farm exists. Can we get some facts as to how much is spent annually to keep it running?
Remember: if you *don't* want to not sell Samuell Farm, don't vote YES! Then we'll all be winners!
I agree, there never is enough park land. During down real estate times, we should be looking a purchasing more land, not selling it. And by the time they pay the costs of the election, which are not cheap, they probably wouldn't realize much revenue. Are these guys smoking something or what?
Another great location for a Housing Development. This makes me sick.
I am sure there is some relative of a politician who is already having the papers drawn up to buy this property for pennies on the dollars and that the city will stipulate that they will pay all fees/fines from selling the "not for sale gift" as that is the <i>true</i> spirit of Dallas Government. And as soon as that check clears, we will hear another round of 'Dallas has no money' before the city starts spending on projects again. If you are against X, then you are against Dallas being a great city.
What is next? Privatizing White Rock Lake? Selling Fair Park? This is crazy! Park land is to hard get and there is never enough in any city.