Farmers Branch council reviews Squire Park overhaul; debate centers on splash pad, parking and costs

City of Farmers Branch officials reviewed proposed amenities and cost estimates for a 1.43-acre redevelopment of Squire Park in District 1 during a Sept. 16 study session, and council members asked staff to further study maintenance, funding and parking before making final selections. Tara Bradley, parks and recreation staff, presented a menu of possible improvements that together were estimated at about $1,975,000 and asked the council which amenities to include in the project.

Why it matters: The city has $1 million set aside in the Capital Improvement Program for Squire Park, leaving an estimated funding gap if council wants multiple higher-cost amenities. Council members said they want clearer answers about long-term maintenance, potential grants, parking impacts to neighborhood streets and the implications of adding a splash pad near Mustang Station.

Bradley said the menu of potential amenities was developed from resident feedback gathered in spring outreach and earlier presentations, and she provided cost estimates: a dedicated walking path $200,000; splash pad $200,000; playground $500,000 (including surfacing and shade); pavilion $100,000; lighting $100,000; basketball court $100,000; turf soccer $250,000; parking (estimate for about 12 spaces) $100,000; design and engineering $150,000; demolition/utilities/grading $175,000; and contingency $100,000. "This menu outlines the amenities and costs," Bradley said during her presentation.

Council members emphasized constraints and concerns. "I don't know that we actually had a very thorough discussion about those items," said Councilmember Roman, urging staff to research whether homelessness or other issues seen at larger urban splash pads would apply in Farmers Branch and to compare maintenance costs across similar sites. Roman asked staff to determine whether concerns could be verified and mitigated or whether they should prevent proceeding with a splash pad.

Mark Moffett, park superintendent, told the council how the department manages water features seasonally: "We winterize even the dog fountain, the dog splash pad, drinking water fountains. We start November 15, and we shut them down until about March 15, April 1. ... It would be shut down from November to about April 1." That winterization timeline was cited by several council members as a factor reducing a splash pad’s year-round utility.

Councilwoman Villafranca said past water features in the city have carried high recurring costs and enforcement challenges when located close to transit hubs. "We just finished cementing over the previous fountain ... because of the astronomical cost of maintenance from year to year," she said, adding concerns about proximity to the train station and narrow streets that could worsen parking and public-safety questions.

Other council members prioritized parking, lighting and essential park elements. Councilmember Reed noted that adding or upgrading a playground, pavilion and lighting plus demolition, engineering and contingency already consumes much of the $1 million set aside. "If we don't provide parking, it's going to create a bit of a nuisance for the neighbors," Reed said, urging designs that reduce on-street overflow.

Bradley and Moffett described the community outreach and design history: staff conducted focused engagement April–June, collected about 149 online survey responses and had about 99 total participants in three public meetings; earlier concept plans were developed in 2022 and 2023. Bradley said the online survey showed the splash pad and walking path among the more-requested amenities (neighborhood splash pad 14.6 percent; walking path 14.4 percent in one summary; other venue-specific tallies varied by outreach setting).

On funding and grant options, Bradley said the city will investigate trail grants and other sources that could offset specific items: "We can investigate" grant opportunities and coordinate with public works on trail linkages, she said. Staff noted that some trail costs could be eligible for outside funding depending on trail width and classification.

Councilmembers also discussed the possibility of acquiring adjacent property on the south side of the park to expand usable area. Councilmember Neal asked staff to research acquiring the adjacent parcel; the mayor responded that the request would be redirected to city attorneys for legal guidance. "We will probably need to redirect this one to the attorneys ... we'll ask for the attorneys to give us some legal guidance on that, and we'll provide a memo to the council," the mayor said.

No formal vote was taken. Directions recorded in the study session included staff returning with a refined concept and design estimates, staff research into grants and trail funding, and a legal memo from the city attorney on property-acquisition options raised by council. Bradley said staff will proceed with the design process once council gives guidance and will return with concept plans for review.

Next steps: Staff will prepare a refined concept plan, pursue grant research for trails and report back on funding and design choices; the city attorney’s office will provide a memo on the feasibility and process for acquiring adjacent property.