10/Mar/2020 | Wander

When describing Highland Park to those friends from out of town, I always introduced it as Dallas’s answer to Beverly Hills. This statement is simply informed by being lucky enough to spend time in both towns over the years. But, not until a recent stroll through the neighborhood’s Lakeside Park did I realize Highland Park was indeed designed by the same Landscape Architect responsible for designing Beverly Hills. Did you know that??

On a sunny Saturday morning, I ventured out to Lakeside Park to practice my photography while enjoying the gorgeous morning weather. I stumble past a plaque at the foot of the scenic bridge that lays on top of the Exall Lake Dam. It eloquently tells the story of our prestigious Highland Park, and most of it was news to me. Wilbur David Cook designed the masterplans for both Beverly Hills and Highland Park, not to mention designing the stunning grounds of the Beverly Hills Hotel, and several of the most iconic parks in Los Angeles and San Diego. Oh and he was also part of the team that designed plans for the city of San Francisco – not a shabby resume, I must say.

If you spent quality time in both affluent towns, you can’t help but see the red thread of commonalities that runs through both. You see design language that did its best to stay clear of the conventional monotonous grid design. And this uniqueness in design was complemented by some of the country’s most elegant architecture from the stately homes, to the library, parks, playgrounds, local shopping center, and even the firehouse.