Elm Thicket, Dallas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elm Thicket North Park
Neighborhood
Nickname(s):  North Park
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Dallas
City	Dallas
Area	North Dallas
Area
• Land	2 km2 (0.8 sq mi)
Highest elevation	166 m (544 ft)
Lowest elevation	151 m (497 ft)
Population
• Estimate  (2021) (est. 2021)	4,981
Race  (est. 2014)
• Native American	2.90%
• Black	29.10%
• Asian/Pacific Islander	4.70%
• Other	9.20%
Ethnicity  (est. 2021)
• Hispanic	26.40%
• Non-Hispanic	73.60%
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (Central)
ZIP Code	75209
Area codes	214, 469, 972

Elm Thicket (also known as Elm Thicket/Northpark) is a neighborhood in North Dallas, Texas. It is mostly a place where people live. The neighborhood is close to Love Field airport. Other nearby neighborhoods include Love Field, Bluffview, Greenway Parks, University Park, and Highland Park.

For most of its history, Elm Thicket/North Park has been a community where many African American families lived.

Exploring Elm Thicket's Geography

Elm Thicket/North Park is often called North Park by the people who live there. It covers an area with specific boundaries. To the north is Lover's Lane, to the west is Lemmon Avenue. Mockingbird Lane is to the south, and Inwood Road is to the east.

Historical Boundaries of Elm Thicket

The original Elm Thicket area was in the lower southwest part of the neighborhood. It was bordered by Mockingbird Lane to the south and Cedar Springs Road to the west. Roper Street was to the east, and University Boulevard to the north. This area was one of the few parts of North Dallas where minority groups made up most of the population. It is right next to the east side of Love Field airport. Some parts of Elm Thicket were lost when Love Field airport and nearby roads were expanded.

A smaller part of Elm Thicket/North Park in the southeast is called Shannon Estates. This area is bordered by Inwood Road on the east and Mockingbird Lane on the south. Kenwell Street is to the west, and West University Boulevard is to the north.

Understanding Elm Thicket's Population

Elm Thicket/North Park has changed a lot between 2000 and 2023. The number of African American residents has gone down by half. In 2000, they made up 62% of the population, but by 2023, it was 29%. The Hispanic population also changed. It went from 26% to 42.5% and then back to 26.4%. The white population has grown a lot, from 11% to 61.7% of the neighborhood.

Housing in Elm Thicket

• Types of Homes
  • Most homes are single-family houses. There are also some duplexes, apartments, and condominiums.
• Who Lives There
  • Many people own their homes. A good number of homes are also rented out.
  • On the western side, many single-family homes are rented.
  • About 7.3% of homes are empty.
• Home Conditions
  • Most homes are in average condition.
  • Some duplexes in the northwest part are in poorer condition.
• Home Value
  • Property values are going up in the eastern parts of the neighborhood. Growth is slower on the western side.
• New Buildings and Improvements
  • About a dozen new single-family homes were built between 2012 and 2014.
  • Many homes are being improved throughout the area, especially in the southeastern section.

Places of Worship

Elm Thicket/North Park has several churches:

• Bethany Missionary Baptist Church
• Church of the Living God CWFF
• Greater Zion Baptist Church
• Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church
• New Jerusalem AME Church
• North Park Church of God in Christ
• North Park CME Church
• North Park Missionary Baptist Church
• Whitlow Missionary Baptist Church
• St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church
• St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church

Catholic residents in Elm Thicket/North Park attend Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.

A Look at Elm Thicket's History

How the Name "North Park" Started

The name North Park might have come from a few different places. One idea is that it started around 1940. This was when the Elm Thicket area grew with new developments called Booker T. Washington and North Park additions. Another idea is that the area was originally named North Park, and Elm Thicket was just an unofficial nickname.

Elm Thicket Park and Hilliard Golf Course

In 1944, work began on Elm Thicket Park. The land belonged to Love Field airport. It was temporarily loaned to the Dallas Parks Department. In 1950, a 9-hole golf course was built on land owned by Love Field Airport. This course was called the Hilliard golf course. In 1950, the Dallas Negro Golf Association opened it as the nation's first golf course for African Americans. In 1954, the City of Dallas took back the land where the golf course and Elm Thicket Park were located. This was part of the airport's expansion and to change roads for the growing city.

The 1960s and 1970s

During the early 1970s, many African Americans moved to Elm Thicket/North Park. It became a strong community with many local businesses. This helped the area grow and thrive.

The 2000s and 2010s

In 2004, the Dallas Police Department started working with the neighborhood's Crime Watch group. They focused on improving the neighborhood by addressing small problems.

In 2016, Elm Thicket/North Park became part of Dallas's Neighborhood Plus Plan. This plan helps neighborhoods grow, reduce poverty, and encourage homeownership. It also aims to attract and keep middle-class families.

In 2017, as part of this plan, residents shared their stories and old photos. This helped to tell the history of this important part of the city. Their stories were recorded and shared online.

In 2018, some real estate agents started calling the area "Inwood Park or Inwood Park West". They did this to make the neighborhood sound more appealing to new home buyers.

Learning in Elm Thicket

There are two schools right inside Elm Thicket/North Park:

• K. B. Polk Center for Academically Talented and Gifted (Pre-K to 5th grade)
• Providence Christian School of Texas (Pre-K to 8th grade)

Public Schools

The neighborhood is served by schools in the Dallas Independent School District:

• K. B. Polk Center for Academically Talented and Gifted (Pre-K to 5th grade)
• Edward H. Cary Middle School (6th to 8th grade)
• Thomas Jefferson High School (9th to 12th grade)

Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy is nearby in the Bluffview neighborhood. It is for gifted students in grades four through six. Students need to apply and show good academic results to get in.

Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy is also nearby in the Greenway Parks neighborhood. It is for students in grades 6-8 who are chosen through a special process. They get a regular middle school program, but with a focus on exploring their interests and skills.

Private Schools

• Providence Christian School of Texas (Pre-K to 8th grade)
• Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (Pre-K to 8th grade)

Colleges and Universities

Elm Thicket is part of the Dallas County Community College District. This district offers many programs at its seven community colleges and 14 campuses.

Southern Methodist University is also close by, about two miles east of the neighborhood.

Parks and Fun in Elm Thicket

K.B. Polk Park

K.B. Polk is a community park that is 2.2 acres big. It was created in 1969.

Features of the park include:

• Benches
• Grills
• Outdoor Basketball Court
• Parking
• Picnic Tables
• Recreation Center
• Soccer Field

K.B. Polk Recreation Center

This center was first opened in 1969 as Polk Park. The K.B. Polk Recreation Center has many programs for all ages. These include activities for seniors, adults, teens, and kids.

Features of the recreation center include:

• Baseball Field
• Computer Lab
• Fitness Center with Showers
• Gymnasium
• Kitchen
• Large Meeting Room
• Parking
• Playground
• Small Meeting Room

Other Fun Places

• Community Garden
• Sprayground

Famous People from Elm Thicket

• Jason Smith - An NFL Player who was the #2 overall draft pick in 2009.