b'APassionforTURTLECREEK PARKGIVING BACK FOR ALL TO ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF THIS HISTORICAL PARKBy Ryan Kirkham | Contributor The English word philanthropy was derived from the Greek word philanthrpia, which means out of love for people. For my wife, Kelly Kirkham, and me, our spirit of giving and desire to commit to one philanthropic activity is not only done out of love for the people in our Dallas community, but also our love for a specific place, Turtle Creek Park.Situated at the somewhat ill-defined confluence of the Oak Lawn and Uptown neighborhoods, Turtle Creek Park (the former Lee Park) is Dallas second oldest park. Its rich history includes hosting such diverse events as USO dances for soldiers during World War II in the 1940s to protests of the Vietnam War in the 1960s.By the mid-1990s, the park was showing its age. Thats when a committed group of park enthusiasts and preservationists created a public/private conservancy to not only help protect the park, but also reinvigorate it with significant capital improvements. This group, the Turtle Creek Conservancy, is still very active today. The actions of the Conservancy have helped pay for major physical improvements to the park and help keep the grounds verdant and vibrant.The park holds a special place, both individually and as a couple, formywifeandme.OurfirstmeetingwasataConservancy ChristmaspartythrownatArlingtonHallonthegroundsof Turtle Creek Park. Ive been a member of the Conservancy sinceTurtle Creek Park holds a special place for Ryan and Kelly Kirkham, 2006. My wife since 2011. Weve both held leadership positions onshown here co-chairing the 2019 Day at the Races Kentucky Derby the Conservancys Board in the years since. Party, which raised over $100,000 for the ongoing preservation and When we lived in the Oak Lawn neighborhood, the park was a daily touchstone. It was part of the fabric of our daily routine andenhancement of the park.because of the regularity of our visits to the park, we could seeno example stands out more than the Easter in the Park, with its how the Conservancys efforts took shape. One could observe themassive Easter Egg Hunt and famous Pooch Parade. improvements made due to the actions of our group in an easilyWhats great about this park is the fact that so many people tangible sense. That lends a sense of accountability to the actionsenjoy it year-round. When my wife and I have been in the park undertaken. for a leadership meeting, we always look around and see others That also has kept us motivated to offer our ongoing support toluxuriating in the space:whether its a father and son playing the park and to take the helm to lead its largest annual sustaininga game of catch, a group of fitness fanatics taking in a grueling philanthropic effort: The Day at the Races Kentucky Derby Party. workout, or a family quietly enjoying a relaxing picnic. We feel a ThepartyisahighlightofthespringDallassocialseason.great sense of joy knowing that the Conservancy has played a part Dallasites young and old head to Turtle Creek Park in their finestin continuing to help provide a clean, safe place that everyone can Derby attire, along with the requisite fancy hats for the ladies, toenjoy. We love that people in the community have Turtle Creek enjoy the fun of the Kentucky Derby in Uptown Dallas. At the 2019Park, a place so special to us.party, about 600 philanthropically-minded folks helped raise more than $100,000 for the ongoing preservation and enhancement ofEditors Note: Ryan Kirkham is an attorney in the Dallas office of the family the park.law firm Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP. He and his wife While the Day at the Races Kentucky Derby Party is the parksKelly are members of the Turtle Creek Conservancy.biggest fundraising event, the park is active year-round. Perhaps GoodLifeFamilyMag.comNOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2019 23'