Park Lane Ranch has closed for business, stranding groups who had booked parties at the Lake Highlands event center. Their indoor facility, which hosted weddings, fundraisers, corporate retreats, family reunions and other events, has capacity for 2000. Outdoors, they have grassy picnic areas and 54 holes of miniature golf.
Park Lane Equestrian Center and Top Golf Dallas are on the same campus but are independently owned and still in business.
Staff members at South Garland High School are scrambling to find an alternate venue for the school’s April 26 senior prom. School leaders told CBS 11 News they paid a deposit of almost $5,000 back in September to reserve their spot. Since then, class officers have toured the venue and chosen a menu for their big night. Now they’re not sure where – or if – they’ll have a prom. At SGHS, 70% of students are economically disadvantaged.
Owner Jeff Swope told CBS 11 he sold Park Lane Ranch. (Note: The PLR owner is no relation to LHHS 1968 grad and former Bell Boy Jeff Swope, principal at Champion Partners.) PLR owner Swope was embarrassed, he said, and would pay back the deposit soon. He indicated that other groups who’d booked parties at the ranch had been contacted about the closure.
Meanwhile, members of the senior class and their parents and teachers are working the phones, looking for an available facility during prom and wedding season. They are dubious about the return of their deposit and have set up a fundraising account here.
No word yet on the new owner or the new use for Park Lane Ranch. We’ll keep you posted.
