Highland Park

Highland Park (HP) and University Park (UP) comprise the prestigious community of the Park Cities and share the same school district (Highland Park ISD). The Park Cities are locally known as “The Bubble,” since residents feel sheltered from the “real” world troubles. Highland Park is bordered on the south, east and west by Dallas and on the north by the city of University Park. Addresses in Highland Park may use either “Dallas, Texas” or “Highland Park, Texas” as the city designation, although the United States Postal Service prefers the use of the “Dallas, Texas” designation for the sake of simplicity.

Wilbur David Cook, the landscape designer who had planned Beverly Hills, California, and George E. Kessler, who had previously planned Fair Park and most of downtown Dallas, were hired to design the layout of Highland Park in 1907. Known for its quality housing, and, as the name implies, the town has many parks running along Turtle Creek and is home to the Dallas Country Club.

The significant architecture of many Highland Park homes reflects Western European styles. Many of the one-story homes, built in the early 1900’s, are English Tudor cottages. Large estates are reminiscent of Mediterranean Villas, French Chateaus, and English Tudors. These mansions are mostly located in Volk Estates and along Turtle Creek.

Education is very important to families living in HP. Kids seem to have a greater sense of safety in the Park Cities than in Dallas. They safely ride their bikes to get an ice cream cone, catch a movie, or pick up something at the grocery store for Mom. Parents volunteer for cafeteria duty and are very involved in the schools in every way.

Highland Park and neighboring University Park truly feel like Small Town USA, BUT they are also very sophisticated, well-educated, and family-oriented. Most of the city is served by the Highland Park Independent School District (HPISD). Armstrong and Bradfield are the two elementary schools serving Highland Park, and McCulloch Middle School and Highland Park Middle School, share a campus with University Park, and Highland Park High School, which serves both Highland Park and University Park, is consistently ranked as one of the best high schools in the nation.

WHERE TO GO IN HIGHLAND PARK

Highland Park Pharmacy, Knox Street – Dallas tradition since 1912. Nostalgic experience. Feels like a time warp! Great grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers, milk shakes and soda fountain drinks. Kids and adults love the food, ambiance super friendly service!

Katy Trail – Walk or bike to downtown Dallas. Originally was a rr track. Careful, walkers and bikers share the space.

The Highland Park Pool is alongside Turtle Creek with its tall trees and quiet streets and hardly feels like a public pool.

Tennis Courts – There are several in HP. Just call and reserve. So easy.

Highland Park’s main shopping/gathering area is Highland Park Village. Families easily and safely can walk or bike there for movies, shopping, dining. Even with its upscale shopping and dining areas, Highland Park Village remains reminiscent of mid-century innocence.