DeSoto, Texas
Written by: HANTX
DeSoto is a progressive community of nearly 50,000 with a small-town feeling, rich in diversity and the cultural arts. Located in the “Best Southwest” – the southwest corner of Dallas County – DeSoto offers quality, affordable housing, friendly neighborhoods, high-performing schools, updated parks, restaurants and shopping. DeSoto is located just fifteen miles south of downtown Dallas.
DeSoto’s municipal facilities are located in the heart of the city at Town Center. A former strip shopping center, the complex was renovated in 1995 to house City Hall, the Civic Center with banquet and meeting facilities, the Library and Recreation Center with two competition-grade gymnasiums, an indoor walking/jogging track, three racquetball courts and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Town Center also boasts an outdoor amphitheater for open air performances and The Corner Theatre, a 160 seat performance hall. In 2009, a $27 million mixed-use village consisting of 135 residential units and more than 37,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and office space was added making Town Center the place to live, work, and play in DeSoto.
DeSoto’s Town Center is quickly becoming a destination for the arts and entertainment. The cities’ cultural arts grant program provides funding for a professional theater company, the African American Repertory Theatre. Named the “best start-up theater company of 2008” by the Dallas Morning News, the African American Repertory Theater’s mission is to produce engaging, culturally diverse theater. They provide a live theater season of four full-run productions each year.
Town Center is also the home of a new concept in dining and entertainment. Jokes and Jazz has an ambiance and setting akin to Miami’s South Beach and has fused it with Latin soul cuisine and live jazz, R&B and comedy performances.
DeSoto has more than 350 acres of park land throughout the community with state-of-the-art complexes for youth baseball, softball, football, soccer and adult softball. All of these parks were either constructed or substantially renovated in the last ten years. DeSoto also has a $1.5 million covered and lighted complex which was built expressly for BMX racing. It is the only one of its kind in the southwestern United States. This facility hosts local, national, and international BMX bike competitions each year.
The city also operates a full-service Senior Activity Center which offers low cost hot lunches and activities for anyone aged 55 and older. The Senior Activity Center received a $1.380 million facelift in 2007 and offers a computer lab, fitness center, art facilities, and areas to play cards and pool. The Senior Activity Center also offers trips, a weekly dance, and other activities.
DeSoto was recognized by the National Civic League as an All-America City in 2006.