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Parks division reports added funding for Squire and Mercer parks; rawhide signage, Oakbrook median and Lone Star Legacy application discussed
Summary
Staff updated the board on multiple parks projects: a $300,000 addition to Squire Park funding, a $1,000,000 addition for Mercer Park, Dutch Village playground progress and a Feb. 16 ribbon cutting, Oakbrook median plantings, proposed Rawhide Trail signage with QR codes, and a plan to apply for Lone Star Legacy Park designation for Rawhide Trail (Dec. 1 application deadline).
Unidentified Speaker 4 gave a multi‑item parks update. Key items included:
- Squire Park (Millbury Park revitalization): council approved design services and staff held a design kickoff; an additional $300,000 from city surplus was added to the Squire Park budget (the previous figure discussed was $1,000,000). Speaker 4 said the surplus was divided among projects.
- Dutch Village Park: playground equipment is installed, a canopy is expected in December, and staff tentatively scheduled a ribbon cutting for Feb. 16 (time not yet set).
- Mercer Park: a topographic survey is complete and the city added $1,000,000 in surplus funding; Speaker 4 said prior funding was $1,055,000.
- Oakbrook median: hardscape and irrigation are installed; staff plans to plant miniature crape myrtles and at least four larger trees to restore canopy; Speaker 6 and others pressed for clarity on species and sizes.
- Rawhide Trail signage: staff proposed new double‑sided trail signs and a QR code linking to trail information; Speaker 5 and others asked that mileage markers remain visible because runners may not carry phones.
- Lone Star Legacy Park: Speaker 4 said staff intends to apply for the Lone Star Legacy Park designation for Rawhide Trail through the Texas Recreation and Park Society. The application is due Dec. 1 and requires supporting letters (staff recommended three); Speaker 4 offered to draft letters for board members to sign.
Why it matters: the updates include multi‑hundred‑thousand‑dollar budget shifts for local parks and near‑term construction and celebratory milestones. Board members asked for details on funding source allocation and for clarification about which projects were included in surplus allocations. Staff will return with more detailed presentations and pictures at the next meeting.
