Residents urge larger Forestdale park; city staff says $650,000 plus development fees set aside

Dozens of residents of the Forestdale neighborhood told the White House City Council on Aug. 19 that the city’s proposed fiscal 2025–26 budget does not allocate enough money to build the park they were promised during development. At a public hearing, multiple speakers urged the council to increase funding and include amenities such as basketball courts, walking paths and pickleball courts so children and families would have a safe place to gather. The speakers’ concerns center on the line items staff identified in the proposed budget. City staff said the proposal includes $650,000 in the 2022 certificates-of-obligation capital fund for Forestdale Park plus about $105,000 tracked in a development-fee account, meaning roughly $755,000 is being held for the project before grant funds are added or concept costs are known. “I oppose this budget because it does not allocate enough money for the park and forest,” said Butch Hall, a Forestdale developer and resident, closing his remarks after a detailed description of the neighborhood’s growth, a land donation and his expectation that a high-quality park would follow residential buildout. Residents described children playing in neighborhood streets and said a park with a basketball court, benches and green space would improve safety, community ties and property values. “Our families need safe and accessible spaces for fitness and recreation,” said Gabriel Anzures, a Forestdale resident. Multiple speakers noted they moved to the neighborhood in part because a park was planned. City staff responded to those concerns with budget detail and a timeline for further planning. “In line item 62‑562‑530, in the proposed budget, there’s currently $650,000 set aside for Forestdale Park,” a staff presenter said during the hearing. The staff presenter also explained the separate line item of approximately $105,000 came from development permit fees specifically tracked for the neighborhood. Staff said the city is awaiting a concept plan and an opinion of probable construction cost from the consultant and is exploring grant opportunities to supplement the budget. Staff warned that construction costs depend on site conditions and that an opinion of probable cost is required before deciding which amenities can be funded. “There are so many factors that go into construction costs, including grading, site prep… Until we have soil samples, we don’t know what kind of concrete we’re going to have to pour,” the staff presenter said. Council members emphasized community input and cautioned that some amenities can create neighborhood impacts — for example, pickleball courts can draw destination players and parking demand. Staff said they will hold additional public meetings after a preliminary concept is prepared and that planned grant applications could reduce the city’s share of construction cost. As required by state law, the council took action at the conclusion of the public hearing to set a date for final budget adoption. A motion to schedule consideration and possible adoption of the FY 2025–26 operating budget for Sept. 23, 2025, at 6 p.m. passed. The hearing drew sustained engagement from Forestdale residents: speakers described more than 1,200 rooftops within a mile, a 4.2‑acre parcel donated for a park, and ongoing commercial plans whose financing, some residents said, may hinge on the park’s quality. Staff and the consultant will return with concept drawings, cost estimates and grant-seeking updates before final budget adoption. What’s next: staff will meet with the consultant to develop a concept and an opinion of probable construction cost, pursue grant funding, and schedule additional public input sessions. The council set final budget adoption for Sept. 23, 2025; any change in the budgeted park amount would be decided then or through subsequent budget amendments.