Dallas, TX

Closing community pools in Dallas will add to a long list of city’s neglect

Published

2 years ago

July 31, 2024

Closing community pools in Dallas will add to a long list of city’s neglect

Over the years, families in southern Dallas have consistently made sacrifices for the betterment of our city. Unfortunately, these sacrifices often arise not from choice, but from neglect. One prime example of this neglect is our community pools.

In early June, our West Oak Cliff neighbors received the disappointing news that the Martin Weiss pool would be closed this summer, a significant loss for the neighborhood. More than a mere amenity, for many of us, it served as a vital resource for underserved families.

Making matters worse, Dallas Park and Recreation staff just proposed permanently closing all nine community pools, the majority being below Interstate 30, citing “disrepair” and “lack of capital investment in decades.”

In response to the proposed closure of community pools in June, District 1 council member Chad West expressed his “disappointment” and the city offered “free swim sessions” for families in West Oak Cliff at the Kidd Springs aquatic center. While his gesture is appreciated, it underscores a disconnect with the needs of West’s working-class constituents, a recurring issue in city leadership.

As someone who frequently visited the community pool as a child, I understand the appeal of its proximity —it allowed us to walk there while our parents were at work. My cousins, sisters and I would bring a half-empty package of deli meat and a few slices of bread to make a “sandwich taco” for our time at the pool.

With little to do in the summer, a short walk to the pool was a welcome escape from the harsh realities of our circumstances. Ironically, West, a proponent of walkability, fails to recognize that reaching the Kidd Springs aquatic center from neighborhoods around Weiss Park would require a 90-minute walk, making it impractical for children, especially in the sweltering Texas heat.

The proposed closures of community pools and the “transportation strategy” to transport youth to the nearest aquatic center render the city’s equity efforts as empty words.

Instead of making meaningful investments in our communities, the city is repeating outdated, vaguely crafted and ultimately ineffective policies.

As an alternative, public/private partnerships sound enticing; however, I don’t think it’s a sustainable option, especially if the economy faces a downward turn.

If we continue to tell ourselves we are a world-class city, then we must provide basic services. The city just passed a bond for Park and Recreation totaling more than $345 million, and no one considered how the bond could address the majority of community pools? Not to mention the leftover funds from the 2017 bond. This city doesn’t have a money problem, it has a priority problem.

Places like Martin Weiss Park and other community pools have been neglected since my father’s childhood. This neglect is not coincidental. Public pools, once symbols of community investment and social cohesion, have faced budget cuts and closures after becoming integrated. Weiss pool, unchanged for over 70 years, exemplifies the unequal distribution of resources in our city.

Brown and Black families still face massive inequities as a result of years of community disinvestment, and the data supports this. For example, a 2017 study by the University of Memphis and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas revealed that 79% of children from households earning less than $50,000 annually have limited or no swimming skills.

But this goes beyond swimming lessons. Having a pool also shapes our community’s overall health. According to a National Institutes of Health study, residential location significantly influences health, opportunities and lifespan. Nearly 10 million children reside in neighborhoods with limited opportunities across 100 U.S. metropolitan areas.

A majority of African American (66%) and Hispanic (59%) children inhabit neighborhoods classified as very low or low opportunity, according to the same study. In contrast, most non-Hispanic white (66%) and Asian (62%) children reside in neighborhoods categorized as high or very high opportunity. In short, having resources increases society outcomes for our youth. These disparities underscore how racial and ethnic differences contribute to varying health outcomes and economic opportunities.

It’s clear that strong policy changes are desperately needed to address these disparities and ensure equal opportunities for everyone. I urge council member West, Park Board members and city staff to keep all of our community pools open and begin planning the construction of new pools in underserved communities.

Meaningful action is long overdue to address the generational neglect our community has faced. Afterall, the oppressive heat our youth endure shouldn’t be compounded by the incompetence of our city.

Giovanni Valderas is a West Oak Cliff resident and former candidate for the Dallas City Council.

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Dallas, TX

Cowboys Team Doctor Played Role in Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Debacle

Published

24 minutes ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Cowboys Team Doctor Played Role in Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Debacle

The Dallas Cowboys were initially in the mix for Las Vegas Raiders superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby ahead of NFL free agency, and were believed to be one of the finalists in trade talks. However, he was ultimately traded to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks.

Now, the NFL world has been turned on its head with the Ravens deciding to pull out of the trade agreement with Las Vegas.

On Tuesday night, NFL insider Adam Schefter was among the experts discussing what went wrong between the Raiders and Ravens, revealing that Cowboys team physician Dr. Daniel Cooper, one of the premier knee specialists, played a role in the Ravens’ evaluation of Crosby.

Schefter discussed how Dr. Cooper was among the doctors who reviewed scans on Crosby’s knee, which ultimately spooked the Ravens and triggered the end of the deal.

Dallas Cowboys team physician Dr. Daniel Cooper on the sidelines before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. | Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

“The Baltimore Ravens essentially failed him on their physical, and my understanding is there were multiple doctors that reviewed his MRI scans,” Schefter said. “There were doctors that examined him, including Dr. Daniel Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys doctor that performed surgery on Patrick Mahomes and Malik Nabers.

“Many teams and players rely on Dr. Cooper’s expertise, and Dr. Cooper was one of the doctors who reviewed the images where the Ravens then felt compelled to back out of this trade.”

It’s hard not to connect the dots that Dr. Cooper’s involvement in the medical review of Crosby led to the team deciding against re-engaging in trade discussions. Though that could change, currently, the Cowboys are expected to move forward with Pro Bowl EDGE Rashan Gary, who the team agreed to acquire from the Green Bay Packers for a 2027 fourth-round pick on the first day of legal tampering.

It will be interesting to continue monitoring the situation and its fallout, which has left the Raiders in a terrible position.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby on the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

But, with the Raiders now forced to re-examine the money they committed to free agents on Wednesday evening, they may have to pull out of one of their own agreements, which could open the door for the Cowboys to reopen their pursuit of a linebacker like Nakobe Dean or Quay Walker.

The 2026 NFL calendar year officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET, so get your popcorn ready, because it’s going to be a wild ride.

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Dallas, TX

Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Dead, Opening Perfect Cowboys Opportunity

Published

13 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Dead, Opening Perfect Cowboys Opportunity

Dallas Cowboys Nation’s hopes of landing superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby were dashed last weekend when it was announced that he was being traded to the Baltimore Ravens. However, less than 24 hours before the new year, the trade has fallen apart.

On Tuesday night, the Las Vegas Raiders announced that the Ravens have backed out of the trade.

“The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement for Maxx Crosby,” the statement read. “We will have no further comment at this time.”

The news sends a major ripple for the league, with the Crosby sweepstakes once again open. Before his trade to the Ravens, the Cowboys were considered one of the teams closely monitoring the situation and a team that made a legitimate offer for Crosby.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby leaves the field following a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

At this time, there is no word on why the trade between Las Vegas and Baltimore fell through. When the trade was first reported, the Raiders were set to receive a 2026 and 2027 first-round pick from the Ravens.

Now, his future is in limbo. Before he was traded to the Ravens, it was believed that the Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Rams were the top candidates to land him. In fact, the Cowboys were “considered runner-ups” in the sweepstakes.

Dallas’ Original Trade Offer

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby reacts during the second half at SoFi Stadium. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys initially offered the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 draft, a 2027 second-round pick, and an unnamed veteran player.

“Dallas kept a hard line throughout. The franchise wasn’t willing to part with two first-round picks, hoping its 12th pick in April’s draft, plus a future second-rounder, would be enough to entice Las Vegas. Dallas was also willing to package a veteran player to sweeten the deal, but Vegas wasn’t interested in that. The Raiders prioritized picks,” Fowler wrote.

Last season, Crosby recorded 73 total tackles, 28 tackles for a loss, 20 quarterback hits, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.

We’ll have to see if Dallas ends up being his new home, now that the team has a second chance to make something special happen, but there will be some serious competition. The 2026 NFL calendar year officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET.

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Dallas, TX

Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing

DALLAS – Severe thunderstorms are forecast to return to North Texas late Tuesday, bringing threats of damaging hail, high winds and localized flooding. While the primary concerns are wind and hail, a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

Tuesday Forecast

Dallas weather: Mar. 10 morning forecast

We have another chance of severe storms starting Tuesday afternoon. Meteorologist Ali Turiano has your forecast and everything you need to know ahead of the storms.

Scattered showers and storms are expected to develop as a dryline to the west moves into the region. Storm conditions are expected to intensify as the day progresses.

The greatest concerns remain damaging winds and large hail. The leading edge of the storm front will likely be the most intense, with the potential for straight-line winds and brief spin-up tornadoes.

LIVE Radar: Dallas-Fort Worth

Dallas Storms: Timing and Impact

The highest potential for severe weather in the Metroplex is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., though lingering activity could continue until 2 a.m. Wednesday. Residents are advised to seek shelter immediately if a warning is issued for their area.

7-Day Forecast

A final round of storms is expected Wednesday, primarily between noon and 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. These storms carry a threat of half-dollar-sized hail and damaging winds.

Behind this system, North Texas will dry out and briefly cool off. Sunny skies return Thursday with a high in the mid-60s. Temperatures will then warm into the upper 70s on Friday before a sunny weekend with highs in the low 80s.

The Source: Information in this article comes from the National Weather Service and FOX 4 forecasters.

WeatherDallasFort WorthSevere Weather

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