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Manvel seeks state grants for park and sidewalks, explores partnership to upgrade Almost Heaven Park
Summary
Council authorized staff to apply for a Texas Parks and Wildlife 50/50 grant and a TxDOT sidewalk grant and directed staff to pursue partnerships with Sedona Lakes MUD to improve Almost Heaven Park; both grant resolution votes passed unanimously.
Manvel city council on Monday authorized staff to apply for two state grant opportunities — a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department matching grant for the new City Hall park and a TxDOT sidewalk grant for pedestrian connectivity — and directed staff to pursue a partnership with Sedona Lakes for improvements at Almost Heaven Park.
What council approved: Council unanimously approved Resolution 2025‑R‑12 to apply for a 50/50 TPWD grant (the program can fund up to $1.5 million; staff described it as a 50 percent match program) to help pay for playgrounds, trails and other park amenities at the recently acquired parcel that staff calls the City Hall park. Council also approved Resolution 2025‑R‑13 to pursue a TxDOT grant for sidewalks; staff narrowed the sidewalk scope to McCoy and Masters after initial feedback from TxDOT, which flagged right‑of‑way and project readiness as criteria.
Why it matters: The TPWD grant would match City investment in park infrastructure. Staff noted the city's recent land purchase — roughly $600,000 of in‑kind value — could count toward the local match, reducing the city’s cash requirement for the TPWD program. The TxDOT grant requires a 20 percent local match; initial estimates put the city’s share for a McCoy/Masters scope in the $600,000–$700,000 range.
Almost Heaven Park: Council also directed staff to explore a memorandum‑of‑understanding with Sedona Lakes and other partners to improve Almost Heaven Park, a neighborhood park that formerly was an RV park and sits north of Dolores Martin Park. Staff said the trails needed repair and that Sedona Lakes residents already use the park; council asked staff to look for partnership possibilities — including Sedona Lakes funding or in‑kind construction — and to report back as part of capital planning.
Next steps and risks: Staff will complete grant applications and coordinate with TxDOT and TPWD on project readiness and scope refinement. For the TPWD application staff said they will seek to demonstrate project readiness and match resources; for TxDOT the agency will review readiness, right‑of‑way needs and the city’s ability to complete the project. Council approved staff to move forward on both grant applications.
Ending: Staff will return with grant application updates and potential partnership terms for Almost Heaven Park; councilors said the grants can leverage city funds to improve parks and pedestrian safety across the city.
