Parks board tables master plan after bond fails; mayor urges new funding plan

The Prosper Parks and Recreation Board on Nov. 13 reviewed two revised concepts for a proposed park and athletic complex but voted to table a recommendation to the Town Council until January.

Mayor David Bridal, speaking during public comment, framed the discussion around last month’s bond election loss. "I'm very disappointed — $24,000,000 worth of parks did not get passed," he said, adding that council will not use certificates of obligation to replace voter-approved funding and asking the board to propose tactical alternatives for moving forward. "People said they did not want to spend that money," Bridal added.

Staff and consultants returned to the board with two master-plan options, narrowed from three after board feedback in August. Kurt, the park-development lead, said the revised concepts remove a south playground due to flood concerns, add volleyball courts at the north end and refine the trail network and natural-area preservation. He told the board the team used Raymond Park as a parking metric and expects "a little over 400 parking spaces" if the plan is built as shown.

Board members pressed staff on coordination with local leagues and programming partners. One member asked that league representatives (PASO/PBSA/PYSC) have a chance to review the plans; staff said they already meet with league contacts regularly but agreed to document coordination. Members also debated amenities — whether to prioritize a pump track, volleyball or more pickleball courts — and asked staff to show phasing options and cost implications so the council can judge what to fund over time.

Citing the recent bond defeat and a desire to refine details, the board agreed to give staff time to consolidate feedback and return in January. A motion to table the recommendation passed on a voice vote.