Cleburne accepts $750,000 TPWD grant for Lakeshore Park improvements; bids to open mid-August

The City of Cleburne accepted a $750,000 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to fund Phase 1 improvements at Lakeshore Park and authorized the city manager to execute related documents.

Parks staff said the TPWD grant is competitive and was awarded in full to the city as a matching grant; the city will be reimbursed for eligible costs. Phase 1 scope—now out for bid—includes a reworked and expanded jetty with a trail, a kayak launch, a divided boat launch with a courtesy dock, restroom facilities (replacing portable toilets), improved parking with dedicated boater stalls (cited as 16 stalls), and 10-foot-wide trails and sidewalks connecting park features. The overall park plan also lists playgrounds, shelters, native and adaptive plantings, and additional amenities in later phases.

Park staff provided a procurement timeline: mandatory pre-bid meetings are scheduled (Hulan Park July 24; Lakeshore Park July 29) with bids set to open Aug. 15. Staff said they will review bids after the opening and bring recommended contract awards to the appropriate committees and the council. Project duration estimates: Lakeshore Park Phase 1 expected to take 8–12 months once construction begins; Hulan Park improvements are estimated at 9–11 months.

Staff also reported the project required Army Corps of Engineers coordination; that process experienced delays as the city was reassigned project managers multiple times, but staff said they have received Corps clearance to proceed. The council approved acceptance of the TPWD grant by unanimous vote and directed staff to proceed with the bidding and contract process.

Council members thanked staff for securing external funding and for their work advancing the parks program.