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Weatherford parks staff outlines skatepark, splash pad and facilities projects, and lists major events
Summary
Parks & Recreation staff briefed the Weatherford advisory board on maintenance, events and capital projects — including McGratton Skatepark design, a nearly complete Love Street Park splash pad, equipment purchases and large seasonal events drawing thousands.
Parks and Recreation staff provided the Weatherford Parks & Recreation Advisory Board with a broad update on operations, maintenance and capital projects, highlighting a hired design team for the McGratton Skatepark and that demolition of the Love Street Park splash pad is nearly complete.
The update matters because the department directs city facilities, runs major community events and oversees projects that affect public use and maintenance budgets. "This department is parks and rec and special events, but it's also facility maintenance," the parks staff member said, summarizing responsibilities that range from event logistics to facility remodels.
The staff member said the city hired a design firm for the McGratton Skatepark and will bring renderings to the next advisory board meeting; planned features include a skate area, a new playground, expanded parking and basketball courts. On Love Street Park, staff reported demolition of the old splash pad is about "98 percent" complete and the new splash pad is under construction; future phases may include restrooms and a playground renovation if approved.
Staff also described ongoing facility work across the city: top‑dressing Cartwright Park soccer fields, managing roughly 800 acres of mowing (about 600 acres are contracted out), and completing generator maintenance and winterizing across public buildings. To address median maintenance safety on a recently reconstructed highway median, staff said the city purchased two "Scorpion" trucks to allow crews to work where a 50 mph speed limit had previously prevented in‑house maintenance.
The report listed large seasonal programs and events that drive park use and revenue. Staff said Hollow Lake hosts multiple tournaments and winter trout‑stocking events in partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife; the department runs adult softball leagues with roughly 30–40 teams per season and noted 11 tournaments hosted at Hollow Lake last season. Special events drew large crowds: staff reported the Monster Dash had over 9,000 attendees and the annual tree‑lighting event drew about 6,500 people and included a drone show.
Staff reviewed recreation programming and staffing: Camp Wrangler (an all‑day swim camp) routinely fills; the department staffs seasonal counselors and about 32 lifeguards for pool operations. Horticulture crews planted roughly 2,000 tulips at Shandor/Chandor Gardens and maintain fountains and seasonal displays. The department also explained user agreements with the Weatherford Little League, Soccer Association and Youth Football Association have been renewed; fees collected per participant are placed back into facility‑specific accounts for maintenance and improvements rather than the general fund.
On facilities, staff said Fire Station 4 and other stations received upgraded engine exhaust systems to limit diesel fume exposure in bays, citing firefighter health as a motivating factor. The department also described its new office purchase two blocks south of the former Old City Hall, noting asbestos abatement and an interior strip‑out to the studs before an architect‑led remodel.
The advisory board was told renderings for the skatepark will be presented at the next meeting and that the Love Street splash pad project is well underway. The board's next scheduled meeting is Thursday, April 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Cherry Park Building, 300 South Alamo Street.
