Four Swiss Avenue homes will offer cuisine, cocktails, music and entertainment from around the world at “A Taste of Swiss” on Saturday, October 10. Italy, Brazil, India and Turkey will be represented at this fundraiser benefitting the Friends of Buckner Park. With passports in hand and the leadership of a tour guide, guests will tour each home experiencing the flavors, music and entertainment representative of each country’s culture. Tickets for this event are $100 per person and are available for purchase online at www.friendsofbucknerpark.org or in person at Needless Necessities (2926 N. Henderson Ave.) and Talulah Belle (2017 Abrams Rd.). Check-in will be from 6:30 to 7:00 pm at 5001 Swiss Avenue.

“A Taste of Swiss” is organized by residents of the four East Dallas historic districts (Swiss Avenue, Peak’s Suburban Addition, Munger Place and Junius Heights) and the Friends of Buckner Park as a fundraiser benefiting the restoration of Buckner Park. This neighborhood park, located at the corner of Worth Street and Carroll Avenue in Old East Dallas, also serves as the Ignacio Zaragoza Elementary School playground. Buckner Park is situated at an important gateway intersection linking Old East Dallas with Lakewood, Downtown, Fair Park and Deep Ellum. Unlike the timeless homes restored in the area, the park has deteriorated over time and has suffered from vandalism and neglect. The Friends of Buckner Park was formed to restore the park and make it a beautiful retreat for the entire community to enjoy.

“So far the community has been overwhelmingly supportive of the endeavors of the Friends of Buckner Park,” Andrea Nicholas, Friends of Buckner Park president, said. “Our vision for the park includes a walking trail, new playground equipment, a pavilion and a venue for both neighborhood and family picnics as well as annual fundraising events that will benefit the park and its restoration.”

A Taste of Swiss will be the second fundraiser held for Buckner Park, following the successful spring wine tasting held at Veritas Wine Cellars.

“A Taste of Swiss is a unique opportunity for our guests to spend an intimate evening, with an international flair, in four beautifully restored early 20^{th Century Swiss Avenue homes,” Larry Waisanen, co-chairman of the event, said. “In addition to raising funds for the park, we want this event to help to create an awareness in the broader community of the tremendous opportunity that the restoration of this historic City Park offers to East Dallas and the surrounding area.”}

Formed in 2006, the Friends of Buckner Park is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created to revitalize Buckner Park in partnership with Dallas Parks and Recreation Department and make it a clean, safe, urban green space for the community.