Councilmember Darryl Haynes to our HNP in September 2010:  "Although this is in the “dream” stage I want everyone to know that we are finally moving forward with a major park near our homes.  It will be twice as large as Rose Park and will be marketed as a very special natural park that will also help extend the Walnut Creek trails system in the future.  This will be a very special park where kids and adults will learn about some history of Mansfield, natural vegetations, and some very special wonderfully preserved lands - as they were 100 years ago.  This 80-acre stretch of land is located along Mattock and just south of Kings Mill.  I wanted to share this with you and the homeowners as a “snapshot” of what direction the city is going.  The park has not been named but will most likely carry the name of the Williams family that donated it."

 

City's Park Department message:  The main focus for this facility will be preservation of this unique ecosystem within the City, while providing quality passive recreation and educational opportunities in natural surroundings that residents and visitors will enjoy for generations to come.  This design process will culminate with a new community park with passive recreation and natural educational opportunities in approximately 80 acres along Walnut Creek. In the future, this will be an important part of the very popular Walnut Creek Linear Park.  For questions or concerns please contact the City of Mansfield Parks and Recreation Department at 817-473-1943.

 

 

Aerial topographic map of the future Community Park property.  Click here for map.

 

Aerial vicinity maps for the future Community Park property.  Click here for map.

 

Aerial views of the future Community Park property.  Click here for map.

 

Presentation to public on May 24, 2011 for the future Community Park.  Click here for presentation.

 

Two conceptual options being considered for layout of the future Community Park.  Click here for map.

 

Presentation to City Council / Park Dept during August 2011 for the future Community Park.  Click here for presentation.

 

Latest Mansfield Mirror article about the new Community Park.  Click here for Dec 31, 2011 article.

 

 

Timeline for New Community Park

 

January 2004:  The MPFDC purchased an 80-acre track of property to serve as a community park and a major trail-head and connection for the continuation of the Walnut Creek Linear Park trail system.

 

August-September 2010:  Staff advertised for Request for Qualifications (RFQ) on August 10th and 17th. 15 submittals were received by September 3rd. Staff reviewed the submittals and narrowed down the selection to seven firms for the MPFDC to interview.

 

October-November 2010:  The MPFDC conducted interviews on October 6th and 7th and then directed staff to negotiate a contract for professional design services with Land Design Partners. On October 21st, the City Council and the MPFDC held a joint work session and toured the property. During the work session, the City Council and the MPFDC determined the scope of services for the project. The consultant submitted a proposal including scope of services and design fees based on the input from the joint work session.  The Design Contract was approved in November by the MPFDC and City Council.

January-February 2011:  The consultant and staff held a kick-off meeting on January 4th.  City staff from various departments and the consultant met for a site visit on January 27th to discuss site opportunities and constrains.  The visioning sessions/focus group meetings, held on February 24th, were successful and a lot of information and ideas were produced for the project.  The different focus groups that were interviewed throughout February 24th included;  the Mansfield Historical Society, the MAC Seniors group, MISD, City Staff, Chamber

members, Civic Organizations and Staff from the City of Arlington, Grand Prairie, Cedar Hill State Park, NCTCOG, Texas Trails Network, past City Council Members and MPFDC Members.  Also, a community meeting for the public was held that evening.  The Williams family (who sold the 80-acre property to the City) interviews were held on February 25th and each family member shared stories and memories from their past.

 

March 2011:   The benchmarking trip that included tours of nature centers in the DFW metroplex area was held on March 8th.  Members of City Council, the MPFDC, Mansfield ISD staff and City staff toured three DFW metroplex nature centers.  Within each center, ideas and thoughts were shared among the facilities’ staff and the tour group, leading to new knowledge and ideas to implement into the new community park.  Land Design Partners (LDP) submitted the program development summary for the community park master plan to city staff during the last week in March.

 

April 2011:  Staff reviewed the program development summary submittal during the first week in April and sent back comments and

corrections.  With this information, Land Design Partners (LDP) produced concept development (alternatives) for the new community park for presentation to city staff on April 27th.   

 

May-June 2011:  On May 24th, a community meeting was held to discuss the two conceptual plans prepared by Land Design Partners (LDP).  LDP also presented the two conceptual plans at a June 1st joint work session with City Council, the MPFDC, and Mansfield ISD.  LDP presented a preliminary master plan (including two conceptual plans) and preliminary budget numbers at the MPFDC budget work session on June 9th.  

 

July-August 2011:  The designer developed a hybrid option (between options A and B).  Click here for the two options.  This proposed final master plan and cost estimate was presented to the MPFDC on July 21, 2011.  This final master plan was presented to City Council on August 8th and approved by City Council on August 22nd.  Click here for the final presentation made to the MPFDC and City Council that recommends a final option and cost estimates. 

 

December 2011:  City Council approved $267,870 for construction documents for Phase I of the Mansfield Community Park.  This would be design plans and specifications that could be used to request construction bids and award a construction contract.  The cost for the first phase is expected to run about $2.9 million and construction could start in January 2013 with the park opening a year later --- all dependent on availability of construction funding.

 

Next:  Design for this Phase 1 should be completed by end of 2012.  Construction for Phase 1 could start in early 2013, dependent on available funding, and be completed in about a year.  Future phases of design/construction is dependent on future availability of funding.  The full completion of this new park could cost about $10 million.

 

Funding Source:  Half-Cent Sales Tax

 

City staff contact for this park project:  Hillary Bueker, Park Planner, 817-804-5788