Meet the Dynamic Women Leading Kaleidoscope Park
By Monica Wallis
If you’ve driven near HALL Park lately, you’ve likely noticed the mesmerizing, colorful art installation. The piece, Butterfly Rest Stop by Janet Echelman – and the only permanent piece of its kind in Texas – serves as the proverbial invitation to Kaleidoscope Park, Frisco’s free public park centered around the arts.
Having opened in October 2024, the six-acre attraction has become the place to be. And it’s clear why: as soon as you step into the Park, you instantly feel the buzz – kiddos playing, families unwinding, and loved ones connecting.
With two dynamic leaders at its helm – Shawn Jackson, Executive Director, and Cara Dudley, Director of Development & Relationships – the Park’s future is nothing short of extraordinary.
Something for Everyone
When you think of a public park, you might think of kids, families, and playgrounds. While this is certainly true for Kaleidoscope Park, that’s just scratching the surface of what it offers.
Art aficionado? Sip a coffee while admiring the aforementioned jaw-dropping, iconic art installation. Need some live music in your life? Catch an evening concert under the stars every month. Wanna switch up your workout scenery? Bring your mat for a free yoga class. “It’s a space where you can be yourself,” Dudley said. “That’s what makes it so magical.”
A Jam-Packed 2025
Even better, everything is free. With its diverse event lineup, Kaleidoscope Park offers something for every age and interest. And starting in March, there’ll be a different event every single weekend. Here’s a brief snapshot of what’s on the horizon (with so much more in store):
Live Music: Starting in March, the first Saturday of every month will come alive with incredible music, featuring everything from acoustic sets to full-band performances by top cover bands from Dallas and beyond.
Health and Wellness Fair: Thanks to a partnership with Baylor Scott & White Health, the fair, beginning in March, will offer yoga, mindfulness activities, nutritional workshops, and more.
Family-Friendly Activities: Petting zoos, farmers’ markets, face painting, movies, food trucks, and interactive STEM workshops are just a few items on the calendar.
Art in the Park: Upcoming initiatives include an art festival in May and nocturnal painting events in collaboration with local artists. P.S. Did you know the Butterfly Rest Stop installation celebrates the annual migration of monarch butterflies through Frisco? Inspired by the delicate beauty of milkweed flowers, it serves as a sanctuary for monarch butterflies, offering a place to rest and pollinate as they continue their remarkable journey.
Sunset Soirée: For the Park’s first birthday this October, the team plans to host its second annual Sunset Soirée, where visitors have a chance to stroll the Park and hear from those who were fundamental in its creation and completion—with drinks, bites, and beyond.
Plus, you can even host your own private event at the Park!
“We’re just scratching the surface,” Dudley said. “Our programming is growing by the day, and we’re thrilled to see how the community engages with it."
Not stoked about events? There’s still a place for you at the Park. Take a work call from the serene gardens, read a book amidst the trees, have your furry friend play at the dog park, or simply catch up with a loved one on a bench. Kaleidoscope is truly what you make it.
Meet Shawn Jackson
Shawn Jackson has a sparkle in her eye when she talks about her work. Having spoken with her on Frisco’s recent snow day, she had just returned from making snow angels in the Park. A Dallas native with over 16 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, she’s been the Park’s Executive Director since May 2024, following her tenure as COO and Interim CEO at the Dallas Arboretum, where she implemented the acclaimed Holiday Experience and the Children’s Adventure Garden. Jackson also ensured the Arboretum’s safety during the pandemic and served as interim CEO during a national search for new leadership.
Kaleidoscope Park’s key draw for Jackson was its welcoming atmosphere. “There are no gates, there’s no ticket price. It’s free, it’s accessible, it’s open to everybody. It doesn’t matter how much money you make or what you do; you can come to the Park,” she said.
Jackson’s role as Executive Director involves overseeing programming, operations, and strategic planning. Whether it’s coordinating concerts or troubleshooting a water valve, her days are as diverse as the Park’s offerings (something a bit new from her time at the Dallas Arboretum, which consisted of a larger crew). “Since the Park is brand new, we have four people who work full-time. There's me and three others. Everything else is contracted out. So, it's a very small team. So things that I haven't done in years, I'm falling back and doing, going out and putting signage in the Park, that's what we did this week. Winterizing everything, figuring out where the water shutoffs are. I'll go from doing that in the morning and having a donor lunch in the afternoon and maybe going and speaking somewhere about the Park later in the afternoon to late coffee with the donor. So, it's really a little bit of everything, which makes it fun. But it's interesting to switch hats so quickly, like operations to programs, to donor relations and things like that,” she mentioned.
And she gives credit where credit is due: “Seeing everybody involved – the Communities Foundation of Texas, Craig Hall, The Honorable Florence Shapiro being the Board Chair—was a big part of my decision. I knew with the people that were on that list of supporting the Park that this would be a success.”
Another draw for Jackson was, of course, the fact that the role is in Frisco! Having previously driven every day to the Dallas Arboretum, she was excited about the opportunity being in the city she’s called home since 2005. “I love how Frisco’s kept that small town feeling, even though we're not really a small town anymore; we're worldwide known, but I love that my kids graduated from school here. To this day, their teachers still know who they are. I love how the city embraces the outdoors. There are so many great parks, and that's another main reason why I love Frisco. When my kids graduated and went to college, my husband and I were like, ‘Well, we can move anywhere. We can move closer to work.’ And we thought about it, but we just couldn't leave Frisco.” She remembers watching the Park being built as she’d make her daily drive to Dallas, stating, “I was watching from afar as a Frisco resident and was really excited about the Park.”
Her efforts have already paid off, whether in the form of generous donors or simply a family making memories in the Park. On opening weekend in October, Kaleidoscope was filled with activities like yoga, face painting, crafts, and a petting zoo. Jackson recalls walking past a little boy, probably four or five years old, and overheard him look up at his dad and say, “This is the best day of my life.” It was such a sweet and heartwarming moment that stuck with Jackson. “Moments like that remind me why I love what I do,” she expressed.
Jackson’s ultimate goal is for the Park to be a community hub, with people coming from all over, filling up the Park every day, not just on weekends and not just kids, but all ages. Her colleague, Dudley, describes her as a dreamer with big ideas, always envisioning what’s next for the Park. But everyone deserves some downtime, so when she’s not on the clock, Jackson’s likely training for a marathon. The runner has completed 43 marathons (yes, you read that right) over the past nine years, when she first laced up her shoes for the 26.2-mile stretch. She and her husband, John, tackle them together, their most recent accomplishment being the Chevron Houston Marathon in January.
Meet Cara Dudley
With a background spanning corporate engagement and nonprofit fundraising, Cara Dudley has a knack for connecting people and causes. Before joining Kaleidoscope Park, she spent nearly eight years with United Way, where she focused on corporate social responsibility and community impact.
Her energy? Infectious. A master networker with a knack for making connections, Dudley’s career has been all about people. Since joining the team in just December, Dudley has quickly built meaningful connections to ensure the Park becomes a community staple for Frisco and beyond.
“I want to make a million best friends in everything I do. I'm always looking for a good coffee date. I always need coffee, and I love to just get together, chat, and ideate together,” she said. Her extensive network, cultivated through years in corporate and nonprofit spaces, plays a vital role in the Park’s development, and her work ensures that every mural, event, and initiative has the backing it needs to succeed.
Dudley’s immediate focus is raising awareness and expanding Kaleidoscope Park’s reach past the Frisco city limits. She envisions it as a destination for all of North Texas, offering free programming that impacts education, health, and community well-being. “We are not just a city park for Frisco,” she stressed. “We are a Park for the communities of Collin County, Denton County, DFW, North Texas, and beyond.”
As she works to secure funding and develop partnerships, Dudley’s passion for the Park’s mission shines. “Shawn [Jackson, Executive Director] has big ideas, and it’s my job to make them happen. Every call and meeting is worth it when I see our vision coming to life.” One partnership that particularly excites Dudley is with Baylor Scott & White Health, which is sponsoring a health and wellness fair in March. The fair will feature nutritionists, mindfulness activities, yoga, kids’ creative sessions, and more.
For Dudley, her connection to Kaleidoscope Park is deeply personal. Her five-year-old daughter affectionately calls it “Mommy’s Park” and loves exploring its play areas, performance lawns, and art installations. “Seeing the Park through her eyes brings me such joy,” she shared. Dudley also honored her late father, Charles Bryant, by sponsoring a tree in his memory, creating a lasting connection to the space. “It’s a place where I can feel close to him and know I’m making him proud,” she shared with a tear in her eye.
Outside her role, Dudley cherishes family walks, yoga classes, and exploring Frisco’s vibrantly diverse food scene. Whether connecting with partners or spending time outdoors with her children, her passion for building a stronger community is evident. “I want people to remember how the Park makes them feel – a place of peace, joy, and belonging,” she said.
The Small but Mighty Team
The Park’s success is a testament to the dedication of its fully women-led team. In addition to Jackson and Dudley, the group consists of two other full-time team members: Joanna Genuardi, Programs and Operations Manager (and fellow Dallas Arboretum alum), and Leah Pate, Coordinator of Communications & Fundraising. “Everybody works so hard and does so many things, and nobody is afraid to jump in and do something new,” Jackson said. “We're all women, and I'm really proud to lead them, and there’s really no complaining. Everything is done with a smile on their faces. They're amazing people. I'm lucky… I’m very lucky.”
For Jackson and Dudley, no two days are the same – and that’s exactly how they like it. Jackson recounts a recent morning spent making a snow angel in the Park before transitioning to meetings with donors and community partners. As a team, these impressive ladies have cultivated an inspiring, welcoming environment. Their MO: dream big, but always keep community at the heart of everything.
Public-Private Partnership
Since its inception, Kaleidoscope Park has achieved remarkable milestones. It all began in July 2021 when HALL Group and Communities Foundation of Texas unveiled their vision, leading to the launch of a $7 billion redevelopment of HALL Park that October, which included plans for the community Park. Momentum continued with a $15 million donation from Craig and Kathryn Hall that December, laying a strong foundation for the Park’s future.
In 2022, a public-private partnership was established to oversee the Park’s programming, and Dr. Scott Stewart was appointed as the first Executive Director. By September, the Park had its name, and construction was underway, marking the next phase of its journey.
The excitement grew in 2023 and 2024 with the launch of the Founders Circle, the Friends of the Park program, and the addition of Jackson as Executive Director. With the installation of the Butterfly Rest Stop and its grand opening in October 2024, Kaleidoscope Park officially became a cultural centerpiece for North Texas.
Friends of the Park
Joining the Friends of Kaleidoscope Park is a fantastic way to support this vibrant community hub while enjoying some exclusive perks. With memberships starting at just $100, you’ll get early access to newsletters, invitations to special events, and a chance to be recognized as part of the Park’s biggest fans. For pet lovers, the Furry Friends add-on lets your furry companion join in the fun with their own recognition and access to pet-friendly events. Your membership helps bring free public programs, educational opportunities, and amazing art experiences to life. Higher membership tiers even include fun extras like branded merchandise, priority event registration, VIP access, and discounts at future Park dining spots.
For those looking to make an even bigger impact, the Director’s Circle offers exclusive benefits at $5,000 and $10,000 levels, like invitations to an elegant "Evening With the Director" and discounted private event rentals.
Experience Kaleidoscope Park for Yourself
With Shawn Jackson and Cara Dudley at the helm, this vibrant space is set to inspire for years to come. Looking to become a donor? Head over to kaleidoscopepark.org/support/donate. Planning to visit? Grab your picnic blanket, round up a crew, and experience the magic of Kaleidoscope Park for yourself at 6635 Warren Parkway. All upcoming events and membership details can be found at kaleidoscopepark.org, on Instagram @kaleidoscopeparktx, and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Park North Texas.
Monica Wallis is an award-winning writer, witty headline fan, and founder of Copy That, full-service copywriting for brands in destination, food, beverage and beyond. A Frisco resident since 2018, she loves popping into all the coffee shops and restaurants Sports City USA has to offer—not to mention chasing its incredible sunsets, too. Follow along with Monica on Instagram @copythat_creative!
