Historical Park reports steep revenue, rising visitation; board discusses cemetery care and upcoming events

FARMERS BRANCH, Texas — The Farmers Branch Historical Park Board heard a quarterly operations report on May 15 showing year‑to‑date revenue gains, higher visitation and mixed expense trends, and spent much of the meeting discussing upcoming events, volunteer work and the condition of two local cemeteries.

The report, presented by Historical Park staff, said year‑to‑date revenue for the second quarter (Oct. 2024–Mar. 2025) was $138,489, up about $43,000 from roughly $95,142 in the same period the previous year. The presenter said second‑quarter revenue rose about 157% year‑over‑year — from a little more than $13,000 in the prior year to just over $34,000 this fiscal year — and that year‑to‑date rental revenue for the second quarter was just over $13,000 compared with roughly $5,500 the prior year.

"Our visitation, engagement and activation continue to rise," the Historical Park staff member said, noting the board’s programs and rentals drove much of the gain.

Nut graf: The increases came during what the presenter called the park’s historically slow quarter (January–March). Board members focused on practical follow‑ups — staffing, equipment repairs and fundraising — and raised preservation questions about Keenan Cemetery and a small privately owned Marsh family cemetery that board members said is deteriorating and may be offered to the city.

Most important facts

- Revenues and visitation: The presenter reported year‑to‑date revenue of $138,489 (Oct. 2024–Mar. 2025), up roughly $43,000 from the prior year. Second‑quarter revenue rose to just over $34,000 from about $13,000 the prior year (a 157% increase). The presenter said visitation…