Entry No. 9 — the Dallas file — filed under: outdoor
Dragon Park
A small, semi-secret privately owned garden at Cedar Springs and Hood, built by the owner of the salon across the street as a place of rest. The entrance is shrouded in thick trees so it reads as nothing more than an overgrown eccentric front yard - inside are winding paths, water features, and statues of angels, dragons, gargoyles and Chinese guardian lions. It's private property but the owners welcome quiet visitors.
The story
At the corner of Cedar Springs Road and Hood Street, squeezed right into Oak Lawn, sits a patch of land disguised as an overgrown, eccentric front yard. You'd drive right past it if you weren't looking for the pair of heavy stone Chinese guardian lions posted at the stairs. Step past them and the foliage closes in over your head, cutting off the street noise and dropping you into a tight labyrinth of narrow stone paths, trickling water features, and a silent crowd of statuary—gargoyles, winged dragons, and stone angels staring out from behind the leaves.
This isn't a city park, and there is no municipal sign at the gate. The garden was built by Mark Mahan, owner of Select Salon across the street, who crafted the private space as a place of rest for salon clients and quiet neighborhood wanderers. Technically, it remains private property, but the unwritten rule is simple: as long as you keep your voice down, take your trash with you, and treat the place with respect, the owners welcome you to step inside.
What it's like
Squeezing through the tree-shrouded entrance immediately cuts the noise of Oak Lawn traffic and drops the ambient temperature under the heavy canopy. You will hear water trickling over stone before you actually spot the hidden fountains. The whole footprint is tiny—you can trace every winding path in under five minutes—so the point is to slow down and claim a quiet stone bench. You will usually share the shade with a neighbor reading a book or someone snapping photos near the gargoyles. Parking is tight; grab street parking along Cedar Springs or Hood Street rather than crowding the small private lot, keep your voice to a whisper, and treat the sanctuary like someone's private yard.
The move: Slip in through the tree-shrouded entrance and wander the gargoyle-lined paths to the hidden water-feature nooks - it's tiny and atmospheric, perfect for a slow, low-key wander and photos before dinner in Oak Lawn.
📍 Before you go Find it at the corner of Cedar Springs and Hood, in the heart of Oak Lawn. From the sidewalk it disguises itself as an overgrown front yard, so look for the two Chinese guardian lions flanking the staircase that marks the real way in. It's an extension of the salon across the street and has a small private lot, but treat the place as someone's property: park considerately, keep your voices low, and take any litter with you. Daytime in spring or fall shows the plantings and statuary at their best. It's tiny, so pair it with dinner or drinks along the Cedar Springs strip, just steps away.
- 📍 Oak Lawn
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Cedar Springs Rd & Hood St, Dallas, TX 75219 (Oak Lawn)
Hours: Privately owned garden; owners tolerate respectful visitors - keep quiet and tidy
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Lakeside Park Teddy Bears — Pair Oak Lawn's gothic dragons and gargoyles with Highland Park's giant granite teddy bears along Turtle Creek for a tour of central Dallas's strange stone creatures.
- Cedars Bowler Hat & Stanley's Umbrella — Swap shaded, leafy gothic statuary for massive steel-and-fiberglass roadside art sculptures just a short drive south in The Cedars.
- Coombs Creek Trail Tiny Doors & Gnomes — Continue hunting for hidden outdoor installations by searching for the miniature arched doors tucked into tree crooks along this quiet Kessler Park trail.
Good to know
Is Dragon Park free to enter?
Yes. It is privately owned property, but the owners welcome quiet, respectful visitors to wander the grounds for free.
How do I find the entrance from Cedar Springs Road?
Look for the corner of Cedar Springs Road and Hood Street. The entrance disguises itself behind dense trees and is flanked by two stone Chinese guardian lions at the base of a short staircase.
Where should I park?
While there is a small private lot for the salon across the street, space is extremely tight. It is best to park along nearby streets like Cedar Springs or Hood Street and walk over.
How long does a visit take?
The park is very small and takes only five minutes to walk through completely, but budget 15 to 30 minutes if you want to sit by the water features and take in the statuary.
When is the best time to visit?
Daytime during spring or fall shows off the lush foliage, running water features, and stone details at their best.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: dmagazine.com · gardencollage.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-06