Policies & Plans
- Trails Master Plan
- Urban Forest Master Plan
- Tree Migration
- Texas Parks & Wildlife Neighborhood Fishing
- Denton Park Memorial Program
- Naming Policy
In November, staff began collecting data so we have a base of information to start the planning process. Staff selected more than 15 consultants and industry association experts to assess and evaluate certain assets and services, including, but not limited to, aquatics capital, recreation centers, forestry, trails, playgrounds, skate parks, mountain biking, athletics, maintenance, tennis, and more.
As part of the planning process, we've initiated the development of several mini-plans to later supplement the full Master Plan.
Outdoor Sign Plan
In December, Assistant City Manager Mario Canizares delegated the development of a new outdoor sign plan to Parks and Recreation. The purpose of the plan is to unify sign design and fabrication for various facilities including City Hall, Parks and Recreation facilities, and maintenance centers. We're executing this plan in tandem with the development of a park signage plan.
Urban Forest Master Plan
Urban Forester Haywood Morgan hosted a kick-off meeting for the Urban Forest Master Plan on April 4 with the help of KDB, Streets, Engineering, Environmental Services, and more.
Integrated Pest Management Plan
The Texas Organic Research Center helped create a plan for 100% organic maintenance that City Council recently approved.
Strategic Plan
Staff have been working together to implement the new PARD Strategic Plan that rolls up and parallels the City's Strategic Plan. This new plan is based on the new brand that supports a Unite, Grow, Play mission and initiative.
View the Urban Forest Master Plan (PDF).
Public trees belong to the community of Denton, and the beauty of a lush green canopy is for all to enjoy. A striking urban forest can complement the built environment, offset the impact of urbanization, and enrich the lives of residents and visitors. An Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP) provides a forum for community engagement, a shared vision, and a road map for the management of Denton's urban forest resources over the next 20 years.
The development of the UFMP will include a comprehensive review of the existing resource, forestry operations, funding, municipal code, and planning policy, along with interviews with managing stakeholders and partners. The UFMP will be a living document identifying goals and action steps for the management and enhancement of Denton's urban forest.
The UFMP is currently under development and soon we'll be looking for your opinion and participation at a community meeting.
For more information contact Haywood Morgan.
The Tree Mitigation Fund is used to purchase, plant, and maintain trees on public property, to preserve wooded property that remains in a naturalistic state in perpetuity, to perform and maintain a city-wide tree inventory, and to educate citizens and developers on the benefits and value of trees.
Tree Resources
- Fannin Tree Farm
- Texas A&M Forest Service
- University of Florida IFAS Extension
Parks & Median Tree Planting Species
Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) and Denton Parks and Rec offer Neighborhood Fishing at the south pond in South Lakes Park, located at 556 Hobson Lane The Neighborhood Fishing program offers a quality fishing experience to urban families who want to enjoy the outdoors in their own communities. TPWD works with local governments to stock neighborhood lakes with fish that are fun and easy to catch. View stocking details and a schedule.
Fishing Regulations
Participants, age 17 and up, must have a valid fishing license with a freshwater stamp. Persons 16 and under fish for free. Find a location where licenses are sold.
- Fish with pole and line only
- No more than two fishing poles per person
Bag Size & Limits
- Five per day for channel catfish or rainbow trout
- No minimum length
- For limits on other species, see the Outdoor Annual
What to Fish
Stocking of channel catfish begins the third week in April and continues through summer into fall. Fish are stocked approximately every two weeks, except in August. Catfish are attracted to strong-smelling baits. Try using nightcrawlers, chicken livers, shrimp, stinkbait, or cut hot dogs.
Rainbow trout prefer cold water. In most parts of Texas, they can survive only in winter. Trout stocking begins in December and continues every two weeks until early March. Cheese, kernel corn, nightcrawlers, red wigglers, and meal worms make good trout baits. For lures, try a small inline spinnerbait or a spoon.
A park memorial offers donors the opportunity to purchase a bench, tree, brick, or picket in honor of a loved one and allow their memory to live on in an act of service or enhancement to City parks.
To submit a memorial request, please fill out the application below and email to [email protected].
If you have any questions, contact Denton Parks and Rec at (940) 349-7275. Our goal is to assist you with your request by reviewing options, location, installation, payment, and dedication.
Denton Park Memorial Application
The naming policy applies to a nomination to name a City building, facility, land, or any portion thereof. The City Council may initiate the naming of any building, facility, land, or any portion thereof at its discretion and may apply the guidelines within the policy.
The City Council may choose to waive any part of these guidelines by a three-fourths vote of the entire City Council. Any amendments to this policy require only a simple Council majority vote. These policy guidelines do not address the naming of streets, fire stations, or police stations, or naming based on advertising.
Naming, whether after an individual, foundation, or organization, will be on a case-by-case basis and assessed for potential conflict of interest and alignment with the City's mission and values.