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 increased 54% for the quarter compared with the same quarter last year.

- Expense picture: The presenter said second‑quarter expenditures fell about 5% to $184,709 from $195,004 in the same quarter the prior year, but year‑to‑date expenditures increased about 5% to $403,357 from $384,140, driven by routine personnel and program costs and several repairs and capital purchases.

- Program drivers: The board and staff credited successful programs and rentals for the revenue uptick. Highlights cited by staff included a sold‑out Mad Hatter Tea (reported revenue $4,350), three Girl Scout workshops, a spring break camp, three facility rentals (a wedding, a bridal shower and a two‑day corporate retreat), and hotel occupancy tax receipts tied to 12 hotel room reservations that generated a little over $1,700 for that fund.

- Capital and maintenance items: The presenter listed recent or planned expenditures including roof repairs to the Datsun House, a new ice maker for the catering kitchen, a chainsaw purchase and tree removal after wind damage.

Board business and appointments

Board members told the group that the city council recently completed a routine sunset review of advisory boards and that the Historical Park Board was the first panel reviewed. "They said they love everything everyone's doing and wanted to continue," the Historical Park staff member said, and board members noted council has made nominations to fill two vacant slots; formal council action to confirm appointments is scheduled for June 17 and, if approved, new members would join the board in August.

Cemeteries and preservation concerns

Board members discussed ongoing preservation work at Keenan Cemetery and the placement of 72 "name unknown" markers by scouts and volunteers since 2020. The presenter said more than $15,000 has been raised through the Friends of the Historical Park for cemetery and program work since 2020.

Members also raised concerns about a small cemetery on Templeton Trails (referred to in the meeting as the Marsh cemetery). A board member said the parcel remains privately owned by a member of the Marsh family, that the owner has expressed a wish to transfer it to the city, and that the site is in disrepair with fences down and some structural deterioration. "If this member passes away, I don't know what's going to happen to it," a board member said, urging a future agenda item to explore options. Board members discussed that transferring and maintaining the cemetery would require fences and funding.

Volunteer and events calendar

Staff and members reviewed the calendar of upcoming programs and volunteer needs: a "Coffee with a Cop" and pop‑up coffee service on Saturday (9–11 a.m.), select Sundays for "Come Fly a Kite," youth camps (two Art Cello summer camps sold out), Independence Day activities on July 3 (6:30–10 p.m.), classic car show on Sept. 27 (10 a.m.–2 p.m.), and Christmas tea reservations going on sale Aug. 11 with the event planned for early December at Venue 1842. The Friends group is coordinating chair rentals and other revenue‑generating activities tied to Independence Day and other events.

Board requests and future agenda items

Board members asked for updates on several matters at future meetings: the master plan and the status of log cabin repairs (work moved back to Parks & Recreation), an organized approach to headstone cleaning and restoration (noting the need for professional conservators and funding), and a possible subcommittee or agenda item on the Marsh cemetery to clarify ownership, protections and potential city involvement. One board member suggested partnering with preservation groups or planning a carefully supervised volunteer cleaning event; staff cautioned that full restoration work would need funding if professional restoration is required.

Formal actions recorded in the transcript

- A motion to accept the minutes of the April 24 meeting was moved and seconded at the start of the meeting; the transcript records the motion and a second but does not include a roll‑call tally in the provided excerpt.

- The meeting was adjourned at about 7:10 p.m.; no formal vote tally for adjournment is recorded in the transcript excerpt.

Why this matters

The board’s financial and program updates indicate growing use of the Historical Park and expanding revenue streams tied to events and rentals; at the same time, members identified ongoing preservation obligations and small but urgent property issues (notably the Marsh cemetery) that may require city involvement or additional funding. Several items — council confirmation of new board members, a master plan update, and decisions about cemetery care — are scheduled or recommended for future meetings.

Ending

Board members said they will bring roster and term information to the August meeting after council confirmations, follow up with staff about master‑plan timing and log‑cabin bids, and place cemetery preservation and restoration strategy on a future agenda for more detailed consideration.