Garland committee seeks planned cleanup, docks and seawall study for Lake Ray Hubbard

The Garland Community Service Committee on Sept. 25 opened a scoping discussion on Lake Ray Hubbard maintenance and cleanup, with Councilmember Moore urging a planned, funded approach to persistent shoreline debris and staff describing partnership talks with Dallas Water Utilities and early design work for a boardwalk and courtesy docks.

Committee chair Chris Sutton said the item was assigned after a council motion and called the discussion a chance to move beyond ad hoc volunteer cleanup. “This is something that we need to be purposeful about,” Councilmember Moore said, identifying recurring wind-driven debris and telling the committee he had met with Dallas officials who offered financial and equipment help.

The city’s presentation said staff have begun logistics conversations with Dallas Water Utilities and that the city budget for the next fiscal year includes an initial $60,000 in TIF 2 money aimed at cleanup activities around the Bass Pro area and other Lake Ray Hubbard shorelines. Staff also described work on a request for qualifications (RFQ) that will require consultants to complete a bathymetric survey and wind/wave analysis to inform any seawall or dock work.

Why it matters: Lake Ray Hubbard includes shoreline and park areas in South Garland that are part of an approved bond program for infrastructure investment. Committee members said cleaning and shoreline protection are priorities both for resident quality of life and to support redevelopment and private investment in the Harbor Bay/South Garland area.

City staff described how the planned boardwalk work could include modest courtesy docks (an estimated 6–12, depending on budget) and how seawalls or other shoreline erosion protection would be considered only where the design and surveys indicate they are necessary. Staff noted some shoreline areas already have seawalls (for example, behind Bass Pro and along portions of John Paul Jones), and consultants will determine the appropriate techniques by survey and wave/fetch analysis.

Committee members and attendees emphasized a two-track approach: reacting to existing trash with coordinated cleanup and volunteers, and preventing future litter from tributaries and storm drains. Volunteer Garland and Keep Garland Beautiful were identified as regular partners; staff reminded the public that a Tri-City Cleanup event was scheduled Oct. 11 and encouraged participation.

Next steps and constraints: Staff said they will continue logistics with Dallas, finalize an RFQ that includes bathymetry and wind/wave study requirements, scope potential partner roles (equipment and barge access), and return to the committee with a compiled plan and cost estimate. Committee members agreed to a follow-up report in about two months (targeting December) to show what is possible and the budget implications. No formal policy changes or funding beyond the budgeted $60,000 TIF 2 allocation were adopted at the meeting.

Quotes drawn from the meeting: “For some reason, we get all of the trash from the surrounding areas,” Councilmember Moore said, describing how wind and geography concentrate debris along the Garland shoreline. City staff added that Dallas has resources that “can help us out with this,” including equipment and possible funding, and that the city has included $60,000 for cleanup in TIF 2.

Ending: Committee members asked staff to bring back a scoped plan and cost estimates and signaled support for pursuing the Dallas partnership and consultant study. The committee set a follow-up for approximately two months to review options and next steps.