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Advisory committee advances master-plan draft, flags shortage of accessible parkland and field needs
Summary
The committee reviewed a revised parks, recreation, open spaces and trails master-plan draft that emphasizes economic, environmental and social benefits of parks and calls for planning to 2030–2035; members flagged limited city-owned park acreage, potential amenities (dog park, frisbee golf) and challenges securing land and funding for a full-size soccer field.
The parks advisory committee reviewed a revised draft of Lago Vista's parks, recreation, open-spaces and trails master plan and discussed gaps in city-owned park acreage and specific field needs.
Mark, who led the update, said the draft opens with a more vibrant introduction and organizes five graphic priorities — economic return on investment, environmental benefits, health and social connection, programming and future-proofing for growth through 2030–2035. He told the committee the subcommittee had culled 'pipe dreams' from earlier drafts and aimed to ground the plan in realistic, phased projects.
Committee members flagged that much of the apparent green space around city limits is not accessible to most residents. "If you don't live in the LVPOA confines, you have no access other than 35 acres," Mark said, noting much of that acreage is single-use sports fields. The group discussed potential new amenities such as a dog park or frisbee golf at Sunset Park, joint ventures with the Lago Vista Property Owners Association (LVPOA) to expand trail connections, and the need to identify parcels for new full-size soccer or multiuse fields.
The committee also heard from Steven West, the newly introduced executive director of the Lago Vista Soccer Club, who said Sunset Park currently has a 99-yard field and is not sufficient for high-school competition. "I am trying to build a middle school program and a high school program," West said, and he urged lower-cost field rental options to reduce barriers for families and youth programming.
Members asked staff to refine the plan's maps to make clear which parkland is publicly accessible, to include phased costs and to explore possible easements or joint-use agreements that could secure connectivity and additional field acreage.
Next steps: staff will refine the draft language and maps, incorporate phased implementation ideas discussed by the subcommittee, and return with cost estimates and potential partnership options for council consideration.
