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Kit Sawers named new president of Klyde Warren Park


DALLAS (April 18, 2018) – Jody Grant, chairman of the Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation, has announced that respected fundraising professional Kit Sawers will take the helm at Klyde Warren Park as president May 21. The acclaimed park, which turned five years old last fall, plays host to a million visitors a year in a world-class green oasis that was once a freeway dividing Uptown from downtown Dallas. 

Sawers, now chief development officer for United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, is well-known for orchestrating successful revenue-generating large-production events, from those connected with the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee and the North Texas Final Four Local Organizing Committee to the grand opening of Klyde Warren Park in 2012. At United Way, Sawers oversaw three highly successful fundraising campaigns that resulted in more than $150 million in revenue for the organization. She also led the public launch and growth of the Unite Forever endowment campaign.

A Dallas native, Sawers said this is a “full-circle moment” for her professionally: “The grand opening of the park is a highlight of my career,” she said. “I’m ready to build on what has been created and help the park reach its full potential in every way – just as the founders envisioned.”

Few could have seen at its inception how Klyde Warren Park would become the envy of park professionals around the world.

“Following the lead of Bryant Park in New York City, we were the second in the country to offer a highly programmed professionally run park with a wide range of free activities to our visitors.   We’re very proud of how far we’ve come, but we must continue to evolve,” said Klyde Warren Park co-founder Jody Grant. “Kit’s background with high-profile events and her track record in matching sponsors with high-potential opportunities make her the ideal leader to take Klyde Warren Park to the next level. She’s the complete package.”

“Rarely does one find the perfect fit, but we think we have with Kit. She is truly a superstar,” said Klyde Warren Park co-founder Sheila Grant. “She was such an integral part of the park’s grand opening and we are so thankful she has come home.”

The result of a successful public-private partnership with the City of Dallas, Klyde Warren Park is managed by a nonprofit organization operating independently of government funds. Support for the park comes from a mix of private funding from corporate sponsors like Southwest Airlines and Nissan and grants from foundations like the Moody Foundation. The public contributes through an annual campaign and signature fundraiser each fall, Park & Palate.

“We want to add many more events and programs – from festivals, symphony performances and movie nights to holiday celebrations for families and more,” Sawers said. “We will keep them varied and vibrant so that our guests always want to return.”

 

ABOUT KLYDE WARREN PARK

Klyde Warren Park is a 5.2-acre deck park bridging Uptown Dallas to downtown Dallas. The park is privately funded and operated by the Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation to connect the community and enrich lives through free active programming and educational opportunities in a pristine and safe, centrally located, entertainment-rich green space where everyone is welcome. Corporate partnerships and donations ensure that this mission will continue today and into the future.

 

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