I live between the Lockwood/Dignowity Parks and this new Dawson Park. It was already mentioned that Lockwood/Dignowity is planned to get a ~$4million renovation, more details
here.
I wasn't a huge fan of this turning into a park. First of all, there is no funding for it. Best case scenario is that it will be funded by the next bond but that just means they'll have to divert funding from another area of the district that needs it more. Secondly, there are already an abundance of parks in this area. Not only are Dignowity/Lockwood close but so is Maverick Park. Extend out a little more and you also have Fairchild Park and Healy Murphy Park. One bit of good news is that TCI is wrapping up the Lamar Street project which included street trees. Since part of Dawson Park fronts Lamar they are going to be able to plant quite a few trees along the street to jump start the project. And who knows maybe the city will find savings from other projects to do part of this park before the next bond.
At the end of the day I told my neighbors I was supportive of the apartment but if a compromise was reached I would support the park just as much. Will this be cool? Sure. But I'm disappointed that the apartment development didn't go in there. Would have been great to have more density so quickly along with some street level retail and a pocket park near the bridge. Longer term, if all the industrial land between the highway and Cherry Street is developed into 4-10 story buildings over the next few decades this will be a great amenity.