Dream into Reality

A dream is just a dream. A goal is a dream with a plan and a deadline.

— Harvey MacKay

Ten years after a dream began, the city's iconic Dream sculpture will move to a new, permanent home in Downtown Arlington designed to celebrate dreams, community, and connectivity.

Rotary Dream Park will be located on E. Front Street between N. Center Street, N. Mesquite Street, and the Union Pacific Railroad. The .619-acre city park will be anchored on the east end by Dream, a "big word" sheet-metal sculpture by Jeff Schomberg and Laura Kimpton.

While the design concepts (which are being developed by the City of Arlington in partnership with Mesa) are only partially complete, they do give us a idea of the creative direction for Rotary Dream Park:

   
Envisioned in the current concept is a new, interactive public art piece by Jen Lewin Studio, which will anchor the west end of the park. The Lewin piece is being imagined and donated by the Rotary Club of Arlington in celebration of its 100th anniversary.

    
"Rotary Dream Park is an exiting addition to Downtown Arlington for many reasons," said Maggie Campbell, President and CEO of Downtown Arlington. "The park will be a beautiful destination and gathering place for residents and visitors. It will also create a sense of arrival along Downtown's northern edge, which includes Urban Union and other game-changing redevelopment projects taking place along Front and Division streets. Finally, it will serve as a landmark and connector for people who are exploring all that Downtown has to offer along both sides of the historic railroad tracks."
    

Dream's Origin Story 

While attending the 2013 Burning Man festival, Bob Pruitt first laid eyes on Believe, another "big word" sculpture by Schomberg and Kimpton. He immediately began to dream of bringing a similarly bold statement to the Arlington community. Soon after, the City of Arlington launched a new city-wide brand, Arlington: The American Dream City. In that moment, a plan was born.

With support from Downtown Arlington, a host of individual donors, and many community partners, a 54-foot long, 12-foot tall metal Dream sculpture was installed in a temporary location in Downtown Arlington, on a lot owned by First Baptist Church-Arlington near Founder's Plaza.

Since then, Dream has become a favorite of Arlington residents, the UT Arlington community, and visitors from all over the world who come to Downtown for its unique cultural destinations and local flavors. And by next summer, the dream of a permanent home for Dream will become reality.

   
For more information, visit the City of Arlington Parks & Recreation department website.