Board approves revised Squire Park schematics amid budget questions

The Farmers Branch Parks & Recreation Board voted to accept revised schematic drawings for Squire Park and directed staff to present the plans to City Council at the April 7 meeting.

Staff presented a single schematic that reconnects the park trail, removes parking at the north end, adds pavilions and a pavilion at the east end, and leaves several large existing trees in place. Staff noted the playground footprint remains conceptual and will be refined later.

Board members raised questions about budget figures that appeared inconsistent across materials: staff narrative referenced approximately $1.1 million in remaining funding while spreadsheet tabs showed figures such as $1.8 million and $2.7 million (which summed to about $4.5 million). Staff explained the documents represented different levels of estimation — a high-level master-plan cost, and separate line-item spreadsheets — and said they expect to value-engineer the project before going to bid so that the base bid aligns with available funds and alternates can be used for additional elements.

A motion to accept the revised drawings passed by voice vote. Staff said they will include the board’s feedback in materials for the upcoming council briefing and noted the final construction documents and a refined budget will be prepared before the project goes to bid.

"What you'll see when we do the Mercer project it's more it's further along. This is still kind of higher level to kind of get us what we're trying to do with this," the staff presenter said, describing the difference between schematic and construction-level estimates.

The board’s approval allows staff to advance the Squire Park schematic to the council briefing schedule.