Farmers Branch parks update: Merchant Park trees, Fire Park outreach and Creek Ridge plan discussed

Parks staff updated the Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Board on several park projects, including tree and turf work at Merchant Park, community outreach for Fire Park, and a proposed native-plant/rewilding approach for Creek Ridge Park.

At Merchant Park staff reported that roughly three-quarters of the planned trees had been planted and sod installation would follow within weeks. Staff said they expect to take final design items to City Council within about a month as they complete the remaining site work.

Fire Park outreach is scheduled to include a neighborhood meeting on June 25 to gather resident ideas and additional surveys. Staff said they have been sending postcards to nearby homes (approximately 1,000 in the outreach area) and using social media to boost participation; about 100 survey responses had been received at the time of the update.

Board and staff discussed Creek Ridge Park (the board corrected a prior mislabeling and confirmed the park’s name is Creek Ridge Park). Staff described the site as high-elevation with limited parking and difficult access; total maintained area was described as roughly 1 to 2 acres including the creek corridor. Given site access and maintenance constraints, staff outlined a plan to emphasize a maintained front area while restoring the back and riparian zones with native grasses and wildflowers to improve habitat, manage erosion and filter runoff. Staff said they are coordinating with the city’s stormwater and sustainability staff on possible erosion-control panels and native plantings to reduce pollutant flows into the creek.

Board members and staff noted positive community reactions to recent wildflower plantings at Creek Ridge Park and discussed balancing rewilding with tidy sightlines along the roadway. No formal votes were taken; staff will continue outreach and return proposals and cost details to the board and council as appropriate.