Frio County park renovation on track; pond and permanent well work to continue after opening

McKinstry on June 10 told the Frio County Commissioners Court that the county park renovation is on budget and largely on schedule, with major construction substantially complete and a planned public opening around July 3–4.

Gabriela Fierro, McKinstry senior account executive, said the design–build process used on the project has helped keep schedule and cost on track. "We are on track, on budget, on schedule," Fierro said, adding the company kept local subcontractors and Texas-based staff involved.

Key remaining items include electrical work, final stonework and pavilion construction; Fierro reported electrical as about 90% complete, stonework at roughly 75% and the pavilion scheduled to begin assembly. McKinstry said the project team expects to complete the majority of measures by July 3 and to enable a July 4 opening for community use, though the contractor also warned the park’s pond will not be fully filled at opening.

Fierro told the court that some parts of the site’s old electrical system had been stolen earlier in construction but that replacements had been installed and the theft did not affect the new work. She suggested additional security measures — patrols or cameras — while exterior electrical work remains exposed.

The contractor also discussed plans for a permanent water well. McKinstry said the well has been tapped and capped, and the county has registered it with the state and the local authority (referred to in the presentation as Evergreen). McKinstry estimated permitting for permanent well implementation could take about 90 days; the well work is not included in the current construction phase and will proceed after permitting and further budgeting decisions.

Project manager Tucker Foster and McKinstry staff provided weekly updates to county staff, the presentation said. The contractor also described possible uses of reclaimed or effluent water for nonpotable needs such as irrigation or filling stations and noted the well design would support the pond and part of the park facility if implemented.

Why it matters: The park project has been a multi-year county initiative. Completion and opening are intended to provide recreation, safe lighting, and community space. County officials and McKinstry emphasized remaining coordination on water rights, permitting and site security.

Next steps: McKinstry will continue construction punch-list work, coordinate with the county on security and permitting for the permanent well, and report weekly progress to county staff.