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Council hears $200 million parks and trails update including Towne Lake, Gabe Nesbitt and regional sports complex plans
Summary
Parks staff reviewed 21 active capital projects totaling roughly $200 million — updates include Towne Lake renovations and a Dec. 3 ribbon-cutting, Gabe Nesbitt and McKinney Soccer projects, and plans for a regional sports complex and multiple trail connections.
Jenny Baker, parks planning and development manager, briefed council on 21 active parks and trail projects in various design and construction stages, saying the presented slate represents nearly $200 million in investments.
Baker highlighted near-term completions: the renovated Towne Lake recreation center and a new "light walk" with a planned ribbon-cutting on Dec. 3, and Greens Neighborhood Park nearing completion. She described work underway at Gabe Nesbitt Park (regrading, monument signage, fencing and four synthetic softball fields) and McKinney Soccer Phase 2 (four synthetic fields, three natural grass fields, a renovated championship field, additional parking and a plaza), with construction phases expected to begin within months and into 2026.
Baker reviewed planned projects across the city, including a large renovation at Old Settlers Park (expanded playground, multilevel splash pad, pavilion and stream stabilization) and site improvements at Erwin Park, Wilson Creek Trail extensions, a Gray Branch Trail underpass under US 380, and a regional sports complex near Bloomdale and Taylor Burke for which staff expects to issue an RFQ in December seeking development partners.
She noted the Towne Lake renovation is funded in part by a $25 million allocation approved in the 2024 bond referendum and described other funding sources including bonds, parkland dedication funds, park development fees, CDC funding and grants.
Council members asked about security and camera systems for Towne Lake and Erwin Park; Baker said staff is evaluating appropriate camera coverage and related safety measures. Baker closed by noting several additional neighborhood parks and trail projects will move into design and construction in the coming year.
Next steps: staff plans to bring a design contract for Towne Lake improvements in January, issue an RFQ for the regional sports complex in December, and begin design work on trail catalyst projects early in 2026.
