The Park South Family YMCA has been a shining star in Dallas’ Queen City district for more than 55 years with a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
Its very existence was due to Mayor Erik Jonsson issuing a million-dollar challenge grant to the businesses and citizens of South Dallas to build the Park South YMCA. It was then that then-56-year-old Vestana Wollos donated her home where she had been born in 1912, clearing the way for Park South Family YMCA to take place.
Over the years the Y became a gathering place for Vestana and so many others to “learn, grow and thrive.” Why, Vestana was even named prom queen at the age of 106. And she continued to greet generations of neighbors in the lobby until her death in 2021. When asked why the Y, Vestana said, “You want to do something to help somebody else along life’s way. And this is part of my life; I like to help people if I can.”
So, that feeling has been the foundation of Park South as it serves its community.
For instance, Park South has served as “the flagship location where most of the Y’s food distribution has taken place.”
According to one volunteer, “In the past three years alone, we’ve been able to donate more than 142,000 meals and delivered over 340 tons of produce to families who need it the most.” And part of that time was during the pandemic.
In addition to its helping feed its community, Park South is one of the few in the area with an indoor pool. So it’s been where youngsters learn how to swim and where the YMCA’s Southeast Sharks team practices for competitions.
Also serving as an education oasis, Park South has “provided early childhood education where 97% of families are using an enrollment discount and 61% are on financial assistance. Our members and communities deeply rely on us; that’s why it’s paramount that we build a better Y to better serve our South Dallas residents.”
But Park South’s years of use have taken a toll. For this reason, it will close on Friday, September 8. But the closure is only temporary as construction gets underway for a 21st century renovation that will include “a dedicated wing for our preschool with its own entry, special spaces for our seniors and community to gather for events and classes, a new pool for our swim team and aqua classes, as well as a modernized fitness center space and lobby.”
In order to finance the renovation, the Midland-based J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation is not only celebrating its own 75th anniversary, it has provided a challenge grant that will match any donations through Sunday, October 1.
* Photo courtesy of Park South Family YMCA
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