ValleyQuest Design, a landscape architecture firm, presented a site analysis and potential improvements for Tejas Park, an 11-acre neighborhood park in north-central Plano, and asked residents to provide feedback via an online survey.

The firm said the presentation covered the renovation process, park background, current conditions, opportunities and constraints, and next steps: creation of design concepts in December followed by site planning and construction documentation and bidding in spring 2024. “Once a park reaches a certain age, we begin to see a need for replacement in the park elements, and the park equipment begins to become too dated for repair,” ValleyQuest Design said.

The presentation described existing park elements and accessibility features. “The major elements currently within the park include a play area, a gathering area with pavilion, baseball and softball fields with backstops, a multiuse court, and open lawn areas with existing shade trees,” the firm said. It also noted that “the park currently has a 4 foot wide perimeter sidewalk with corner and mid block ADA connections” and a single sidewalk from the west sidewalk to the play and gathering areas.

ValleyQuest identified three primary opportunities: increase site connectivity and accessibility by adding accessible connections to park elements; create or enhance a central hub by renovating or adding a pavilion with additional hardscape, seating, drinking fountains and grills; and expand and integrate the play area with the central hub, including play elements for children ages 2–5 and 5–12. The presentation showed representative playground images and listed possible additional elements such as benches, shaded areas and more drinking fountains.

The firm also noted constraints that the future design must address, including maintaining visibility into the park for user safety and avoiding conflicts with existing utilities and shade trees. The presentation emphasized incorporating existing trees and utilities into the design where possible.

No formal actions or votes were taken during the presentation. ValleyQuest Design closed by encouraging viewers to follow the provided link or QR code to complete the public survey and said questions could be directed to the City of Plano. “Thank you for your time and for viewing the presentation for Tejas Park,” the firm said.

Next steps described in the presentation are the development of design concepts (scheduled for December) and site planning and construction documentation and bidding in spring 2024; the presentation did not include specific funding sources, construction start dates, or decision votes.