[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6669075,"mediaKeyId","2214848-6b5504b1e61ec5787a75bec5e97ec1a9","parentId",2214848,"title","Council members press parks staff on golf course funding; revenue bonds deemed not viable now","audioSeconds",293,"startMs",4983790,"endMs",5277245,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2214848-6b5504b1e61ec5787a75bec5e97ec1a9&start=4983&end=5277","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2214848-6b5504b1e61ec5787a75bec5e97ec1a9/thumbnail_4983790.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6669075/Dallas/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-members-press-parks-staff-on-golf-course-funding-revenue-bonds-deemed-not-viable-now","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6669075-2094f11ad6cf057f802871e8ea8f1a7c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165006&Signature=XsmxaXjhhk-r3IMRfZpDinIxJB~8U4MoxkXWbSo0DuZFHo8b792VHrc2hJVNSqHFbInlmYYK-ad8sFfeyvkaV2c3iKWbNXrhfbrnRc2DUWBImw1ed9-KpvXptWsA~qfQtLaQ1k9K5uwnJ6JvbQaRZ0l9NrPtJ0vyExMsQ98OSwgaavxhD3pEn5Zt1Z~9G7DE53dItf6OLhtokTwgOd8TAlFrBXwjhCWPvBLiR2N2mhf2b6Gg4diPmSj60SEmGc6AO4AEDYnTl9ZMl~yT~nPreTl7KW~a7ObQvtd89BpwtYr7oTMi4agwLmg15e5u7q2VbSUqx4MOnAabg5M~BdX6UA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dallas","date","2025-02-03T00:00:00Z","article","Council members used a Feb. 3 Parks, Trails and Environment Committee session to press staff on funding for golf‑course renovations, including the Stevens Park restroom and kitchen project and the larger list of golf projects that had been discussed during the 2024 bond process.

Councilmember West asked why revenue bonds — discussed publicly during the bond campaign — were later judged not to be a viable financing mechanism for golf‑course renovation. John and other staff said they had explored options; Parks staff reported the bond office advised in December that there was limited appetite for straight revenue bonds for golf courses because of perceived risk and higher interest costs. Jack Ireland, the city’s chief financial officer, told the committee that from a financial perspective he did not support issuing revenue bonds tied to golf courses earlier in the bond development process.

\"Early on in the bond program development ... I did indicate at the time that I did not think it was a feasible project for issuing some type of revenue bonds,\" Jack Ireland said, explaining the financial office's judgement.

Parks staff said they will not await a change in revenue bond appetite and instead will proceed using available multi‑year golf funds and staged projects; staff said that approach will allow smaller‑scale renovations to proceed without a new revenue bond issuance. The department noted it still has an identified $1,000,000 allocation for Cedar Crest from the bond package and will prioritize renovations using internal funds and future scheduling.

Committee members also raised ADA questions tied to specific repairs. Councilmembers asked whether previously authorized ADA bond funds remain available for projects such as Stevens Park restrooms; Jenny Niswander of the bond office said she would check historical bond accounts and report back to the committee.

Parks finance staff explained how green fees are used: a portion of golf revenue supports the general fund while another portion flows to a multi‑year fund that pays for capital and debt. Staff said the Dallas Water Utilities loan tied to golf funding is scheduled to be repaid by 2034; after repayment, staff said the department expects more funds to flow to the multi‑year capital balance. The committee asked staff to provide periodic updates on multi‑year fund balances and planned golf projects.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Dallas - Park, Trails, and Environment Committee - Feb 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council members used a Feb. 3 Parks, Trails and Environment Committee session to press staff on funding for golf‑course renovations, including the Stevens Park restroom and kitchen project and why revenue bonds are not being pursued.","taxTitle","Dallas, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",2781,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6669079,"Consultants present updated White Rock Lake master plan after two years of community engagement",1307,2879670,4187325,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2214848-6b5504b1e61ec5787a75bec5e97ec1a9&start=2879&end=4187","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2214848-6b5504b1e61ec5787a75bec5e97ec1a9/thumbnail_2879670.jpg","/articles/6669079/Dallas/Dallas-County/Texas/Consultants-present-updated-White-Rock-Lake-master-plan-after-two-years-of-community-engagement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6669079-44c3d6f7fb1e3c43b9d311a86f359fb2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165006&Signature=Ed1-cwAC0ENk782H7TXmKRQfkIygqM8uQtphFPofCaRD6958YUyUgs2kkMgfdwawT4G1A8fGojwvvg9ny9gUnz4rboGU46BGAwsa~PJDUsL~Xhx-wWB~c5YKVDAsoEcd1GypFk2Y7p4K0E16-7MgZGvB72us2bLm460fJCBWlYusW3-7~1fFjxVAk0hjADHKkIQsryP5HF3ryo-AT2lZvj7X72XfJzdjlqEuiRYA8lKGqFY-WgvP98w~KWqhgTt0ilfScsaK~XrlmJXTpVXOznm9gizuY4QD5wTGyhpJEdKPqxDdK9v6CcEd12iHTXNbUAR9kjZLhNE6qLonFfv-Sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Philip Dunaway and Brad Moulton of Dunaway & Associates told the Parks, Trails and Environment Committee on Feb. 3 that the White Rock Lake Master Plan update is a multi‑year effort to consolidate prior studies and provide a contemporary framework for future projects.

\"Nobody's trying to start over with redesigning this park,\" Philip Dunaway said. \"We're trying to carefully consolidate a lot of history and bring it up to date.\" The consultants said the plan is the result of extensive document review, public meetings and an online survey that generated hundreds of comments on trails, maintenance, preservation and public safety.

The draft master plan divides the lake and surrounding parkland into roughly 17 focus areas, including Flagpole Hill, Mockingbird Point, Boy Scout Hill and the bathhouse area. Consultants said each focus area will have a summary sheet listing opportunities, assets and surrounding influences; they provided examples for Mockingbird Point, Boy Scout Hill and the east shore near boating clubs.

Key recommendations identified in the update include a stronger emphasis on stewardship and preservation, updated trail standards (a 14‑foot trail section detail was proposed in place of a previous 12‑foot recommendation), seven shoreline treatment options to address erosion, and organizational guidance for parking and circulation in congested areas on the east side of the lake.

The consultants noted several conceptual ideas for further study rather than immediate construction: a boardwalk or water‑edge trail along Garland Road to address narrow shoreline erosion; improved parking organization to reclaim green space where parking is inefficient; and a potential visitor center near the southwest corner of Flagpole Hill to better interpret lake history and natural resources.

Brad Moulton said the team vetted ideas through a task force and public engagement process and intentionally avoided detailed design decisions at this stage. \"This is a master plan level,\" he said, intended to guide priorities and future project design rather than authorize immediate construction.

Committee members welcomed the public‑engagement emphasis and asked that Flagpole Hill stakeholders and groups that produced an earlier Flagpole Hill master plan be included in final coordination. Staff said they will brief full City Council on Feb. 26; if Council comments are minimal, the Parks and Recreation Board is scheduled to consider the master plan for approval on March 6. Once approved, staff said the master plan will be used to create a needs inventory and to guide future bond or grant requests.","Consultants from Dunaway & Associates updated the committee on a two‑year master plan process for White Rock Lake that consolidates decades of studies, divides the park into 17 focus areas, and proposes updated design guidelines and shoreline treatments; staff plans council briefing Feb. 26 and Park Board consideration March 6.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6669085,"Dallas parks officials outline White Rock Lake maintenance, capital improvements and volunteer partnerships",215,4248,219935,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2214848-6b5504b1e61ec5787a75bec5e97ec1a9&start=4&end=219","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2214848-6b5504b1e61ec5787a75bec5e97ec1a9/thumbnail_4248.jpg","/articles/6669085/Dallas/Dallas-County/Texas/Dallas-parks-officials-outline-White-Rock-Lake-maintenance-capital-improvements-and-volunteer-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6669085-51b0cb95dac096c31dc5306888ba4d60/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165006&Signature=Zis85AEW3CjkAWclbKr28BG-SljugKFYitS3XpGMVag3aYvgz7q9OEe21dtpvzan-Xnt0KXjDZwPcMPVDFBkUCrmJPl3DOHSj-alaHsXimqtpU77~zSQ8njkVfLUmJn3k02w4C-l2wBPW4V5dkQfe3~LAsT2pyu0KZNydFX5UozfxEbv0rVMW-mA~MFwmSRpBIEgTdDUbHe2mMsji0Zvs3MD9nW4wvdfmlcGMbdqtRv5xUdOjvwdtSSWuIuS7JuLXRG1lNEnbvCHobSRW0hL6wbuussTQMeN6A6d9FyXbwiTzF4kKezvAuy8sxdniix~OESQfe1YnSJEPQu1f5WsFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Renee Johnson, assistant director for the City of Dallas Parks Department, told the Parks, Trails and Environment Committee on Feb. 3 that staff have focused recent work at White Rock Lake on customer service, maintenance and capital preservation.

\"It's the largest urban lake, designated legacy park and bird conservation area,\" Johnson said, and staff described a mix of maintenance contracts, volunteer efforts and capital work intended to keep the site accessible to more than 2,000,000 visitors a year.

The briefing listed recent and ongoing work: a multi‑year dock replacement rotation (eight docks in the program, four or five already addressed), exterior and interior renovations at Winfrey Point, HVAC and masonry repairs at the filter building, resurfacing of tennis/pickleball courts, new wayfinding signs, improvements at Sunset Inn (renovated for reservations), improvements to multiple parking areas and installation of litter booms on tributaries. David Smith, interim superintendent for White Rock Lake, said beautification agreements with partners have supported general maintenance, litter pickup and prairie management.

\"Those agreements come with a lot of benefits,\" Smith said, citing partners such as For the Love of the Lake, the White Rock Lake Foundation, the White Rock Lake Conservancy, North Texas Master Naturalists and Dallas United Crew. Smith said volunteer groups have helped with litter removal, trail maintenance, prairie invasive‑species work and educational programming.

Staff identified several funding sources: a donation of about $45,000 from For the Love of the Lake for an ADA package, multiple neighborhood and foundation contributions for wayfinding and improvements, and bond funding for larger projects. In addition to local funds, staff said the city has received $2,000,000 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to support planning, environmental documentation and a project report for dredging work. Committee members also referenced a larger bond allocation for lake work.

Committee members pressed staff on several technical and community issues. Chair Blackman praised staff and volunteers for improved maintenance but asked about the trail erosion problem on Garland Road. Johnson and staff said they are evaluating options, including sheet piling and a structure that would place a boardwalk or floating boardwalk over the water as seen on other urban lakes. Staff said those designs are preliminary and require additional review and approvals.

Council members also raised aesthetic opportunities connected to Texas Department of Transportation work along Garland Road. Staff said they would discuss public‑art possibilities with TxDOT and neighborhood partners. Members flagged environmental questions — including recent reports of dead fish — and staff committed to follow up with the urban biologist and Dallas Water utilities on that issue.

Several presenters stressed that many projects are collaborative with neighborhood groups and nonprofits and that agreements and paperwork are being reviewed by attorneys to ensure compliance. Smith said some items have been reorganized to reduce maintenance costs over time, and Johnson said projects are being coordinated with the City’s planning and design group.

The committee did not take formal policy action on the briefing; staff said dredging is in design and environmental review, the dock replacement schedule will continue on a multi‑year rotation and additional capital projects will be used to generate maintenance efficiencies.

Looking ahead, staff said consultations with TxDOT and the Corps of Engineers, plus forthcoming master plan guidance, will shape next steps for trail erosion, shoreline treatment and larger capital investments.","Parks staff briefed the Parks, Trails and Environment Committee on ongoing maintenance, recent capital projects and volunteer partnerships at White Rock Lake, describing dock replacement, ADA upgrades, trail work and partner donations; dredging planning continues with Corps funding and bond support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council members press parks staff on golf course funding; revenue bonds deemed not viable now

Consultants present updated White Rock Lake master plan after two years of community engagement

Dallas parks officials outline White Rock Lake maintenance, capital improvements and volunteer partnerships