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Parks director outlines fall events, Heroes Memorial Park dedication and boat ramp timeline
Summary
Rockwall City parks staff detailed fall and winter events including a fall concert series, Rib Rub Run and Roll (Oct. 5), Scare on the Square (Oct. 26), a hometown Christmas event (Dec. 7), a senior resources fair, and plans for a Heroes Memorial Park dedication on Sept. 21 and a TPNW grant boat ramp expansion targeted for construction in January with an operational goal by Memorial Day 2025.
The parks Director provided a monthly update on upcoming events, facility work and capital projects, saying the department is preparing for a busy fall and holiday season.
The Director listed events the department will lead: a fall concert series starting the second Thursday in October called "Harmony at the Harbor," a Rib Rub Run and Roll barbecue competition and car show on Oct. 5, a downtown "Scare on the Square" event Oct. 26, and the daytime Hometown Christmas event on Dec. 7 paired with the tree lighting and support for the Kiwanis parade. The Director said staff is also planning a fishing derby in November and will open spring season sign-ups on Nov. 1 for youth sports following strong registration numbers.
Regarding the Heroes Memorial Park, a committee member said the monument — described in the meeting as weighing about 23 tons with slanted panels for names — will be set the week before the dedication, with the dedication scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. The board member estimated about 1,000 people could attend, and staff will run shuttle buses and close the boat-ramp parking to reserve spaces for event attendees.
On capital projects, a committee member reported the TPNW grant-funded expansion of the boat ramp is nearing the construction phase with a target start of Jan. 1 and hopes it will be operational by Memorial Day 2025; the speaker noted the schedule depends on state approvals.
Park staff also addressed playground amenities and shade. A resident asked whether picnic table shade cloths could be added at the new playground at Harry Myers Park. Staff replied that the priority is shading playground equipment (the highest-use areas) and that standalone canopy shades for picnic tables cost about $10,000 each; the city is proceeding methodically to expand shade coverage. The Director also announced a senior resources fair Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at the senior center and thanked maintenance crews for their work supporting events.
The department invited feedback on band selections for future concerts and said staff handled most event operations when some volunteers and downtown groups reached capacity.
