Council approves conceptual master plan for Leonard & Helen Johns Community Park, including five‑plex tennis courts and nature features

The Flower Mound Town Council on a unanimous vote approved a conceptual master plan for Leonard and Helen Johns Community Park that combines recreational amenities, natural-area preservation and a proposed five‑court tennis complex.

Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Jennings and consultant David Shipp of MHS Planning and Design walked the council through the plan, which covers approximately 38 acres and places roughly 13.45 acres of improvements on a footprint outside the core floodplain. The master plan includes a five‑court tennis complex, an amphitheater, new multi‑use trails, boardwalks and a fishing pier, plus expanded playground and interpretive signage.

“Once those buildings were demolished, staff’s excited to begin making long‑awaited improvements to one of our community’s oldest and most scenic parks,” Jennings said during his presentation. Consultant David Shipp highlighted constraints from the floodplain and said the proposed tennis complex was sited to avoid impacting downstream flows.

Public comment drew concerns about the balance between recreation and preservation. Amy Foreman, who identified herself as a professional conservation biologist and an Elm Fork chapter Texas Master Naturalist, urged the town to emphasize nature and education rather than “turning the park into a tennis complex.” She asked the council to consider native plantings, habitat preservation and programming that would draw visitors for environmental education.

Councilmembers asked staff how the plan would affect events held at the park — for example, the town’s children’s July 4 parade — and were told the design includes an amphitheater and configurable spaces intended to preserve such uses. Council discussion also addressed tree canopy preservation; staff said the plan aims to avoid removing mature trees and locate new elements where buildings and parking once sat.

Parks staff said the project was funded through the recently approved bond and that the town will apply for a 50/50 Texas Parks & Wildlife grant (up to $750,000) for elements of the plan. Jennings said the consultant would advance the project into design after council approval.

Motion and vote. Councilmember Drew moved approval of the conceptual master plan; the motion passed by unanimous roll call.

Staff said the master plan will guide future design, budgeting and grant applications and that the town created a project web page for ongoing public outreach and updates.