Waco unveils near‑final design for China Spring Park; $3.7 million budgeted for first phase

Jonathan Cook, the city’s Director of Parks and Recreation, presented near‑final designs for the China Spring Park during the council’s Feb. 4 work session and said the city has allocated $3.7 million in capital funds for the first phase.

Cook said the city purchased about 85 acres for the park and is advancing design to about 95% of construction documents, with staff planning to go to bid after closing out remaining input. The first phase covers roughly 60 acres and would include an accessible concrete loop trail, soft‑surface nature trails through wooded floodway areas, a pavilion, restrooms, picnic groves, multi‑sport practice fields, a linear playground with a 17‑foot tree‑house structure and a splash pad. The design emphasizes native prairie planting, bioswales for storm filtration and preserving wooded floodway character.

“Trail system” ranked as the project’s top priority from community surveys, Cook said; staff reported collecting more than 900 community surveys and holding multiple neighborhood meetings to develop planning values favoring natural amenities, passive recreation, activated play areas and safety. The project timeline presented anticipates a 9‑ to 12‑month construction period after notice to proceed, with projected completion in spring 2026 for phase 1.

Council members praised the neighborhood input process and noted the park’s role servicing the China Spring area, a rapidly growing part of the city. Council asked staff to explore feasibility of additional amenities such as a dog park, skate elements or disc golf for potential later phases; Cook said those items were being reserved for future expansion and feasibility work.

Cook said the design will be posted on the parks project website and staff will bring permit and bidding documents forward. Funding for the first phase is drawn from various capital improvement project funds, as shown on the park presentation.