Past Projects

Cross Timbers North & South Playground

Over the past four years, the Parks and Recreation Department has been working towards updating the City’s playground inventory with new structures that meet current safety regulations. The original playground was installed in 2002 and identified for replacement by Parks and Recreation Staff. This process involves using the industry standard playground lifespan, approximately 15 years. The replacement timeline considers the brand, amount of shade, usage, vandalism, and repairs needed throughout its lifespan.

On May 3, City Council approved the Parks and Recreation Department to move forward with purchasing the playgrounds. In August 2022, the Cross Timbers South playground began demolition and was completed the week of September 19. Upon completion of the south playground, the contractors immediately began on the Cross Timbers North playground and began demolition on the same week of September 19. The playground was finalized by November 4.

The new play structures include interactive, accessible play and integrated shade. Tag us on Facebook and Instagram, and tell us how you like it!

Cost of Playground: $351,449.00
Project Location: 7601 Waterside Pl. & 8402 Clear River Ln.
Estimated Construction Dates: August – November 2022
Project Manager: Jason Donnell

Denia Park Batting Cages

Denia Park features four softball fields that accommodate youth baseball and softball. Traditionally, baseball/softball parks have batting cages to provide players with the opportunity for batting practice to enhance skills. The previous batting cage was due for replacement and featured safety netting, turf flooring, and one batting tunnel.

The new project has two batting tunnels, a new concrete surface with artificial turf, chain link fencing, and netting.

Estimated Budget: $76,044.00
Project Location: 1001 Parvin St. Denton, TX 76205
Estimated Construction Dates: March 2022 to October 2022
Project Manager: Jason Donnell

Fred Moore Park

As part of the 2021 Community Development Action Plan, the Parks and Recreation Department received a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for improvements to the ballfield located at Fred Moore Park. These improvements include new shade structures over the bleachers, dugouts and scorer’s area, and new outfield fencing. All shade structures and outfield fencing is complete. The project is awaiting the installation of foul poles that are on back-order. Installation of poles should be in by the fall.

Estimated Budget: A total of $82,252.10 in grant funding is helping to make these improvements
Project Location: 501 S. Bradshaw St. Denton, TX 76205
Estimated Construction Dates: March 2022 to June 2022
Project Manager: Jason Donnell

Hartlee Field Mountain Bike Park

In November 2021, the Hartlee Field Mountain Bike Park officially opened to the public. This is the City of Denton's first mountain bike park with a 5.3-mile trail. The trail runs through hills, woods, flat spaces, open prairies, and has a view of two small stock ponds. The construction started in late 2020 and was entirely led by over 130 local riders and volunteers working nearly 1,000 hours.

This project came to fruition from public engagement through the Parks Master Plan feedback process. The Wastewater department bought the existing property in the mid-1990s for a future wastewater treatment plant. The treatment plant was identified as not needed until 10-40 years or may never be required to be built depending on development. The property is 240 acres; typically, a plant will need 30-40 acres. The City established a memorandum of understanding to allow the use of the property for mountain bike trails. If the future plant is needed, a fence will be built around it, allowing for trails to be still located within this area.

Staff is working on identifying routes to incorporate more trails on this property. Be on the lookout for more information. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us at (940) 349-7275.

Project Location: 5792 Hartlee Field Rd. Denton, TX 76208
Construction Dates: November 2020 to December 2021
Project Manager: John Whitmore

McKenna Park

Parks and Recreation started hosting a community meeting in 2019 to seek feedback for improvements to McKenna Park. Through community engagement and collaboration with other City Departments, Park staff enhanced the existing Park with the following new amenities: Playground, parking lot, pavilions, trails, and landscaping.

On January 5, 2021, City Council approved Obra Ramos Construction, LLC to construct park improvements for McKenna Park. The Park construction of the proposed changes was finalized in March 2022. The old playground footprint is currently being assessed with the possibility of repurposing into an additional amenity.

Construction Costs: 987,833.38
Project Location: 700 N Bonnie Brae St. Denton, TX 76201
Construction Dates: January 2021 to Continuous
Project Manager: John Whitmore

North Lakes Dog Park

The North Lakes Dog Park started construction in April 2019 and officially opened to the public in December 2019. The 3.65-acre dog park features three main pens, which are more than an acre, and a smaller pen is available to rent for events. There are nearly 100 trees, bistro lighting around each pen, benches, and water fountains for humans and dogs.

This park also features an art sculpture named “Fetch.”

The Denton Parks Foundation continuously raises money for additional seating and shade structures. To donate, please visit www.dentonparksfoundation.com

Cost of Construction: $553,240.53

Project Location: 808 W. Windsor Dr.

North Pointe Park

Denton Parks and Recreation is constantly looking for ways to improve all Parks throughout the City. Staff identified the need for additional shade and installed a pavilion at North Pointe Park. The pavilion will feature a picnic table and will be installed by July 22.

Construction Costs: $28,024.83
Project Location: 1400 W Hercules Ln. Denton, TX 76207
Construction Dates: June 2022 to July 2022
Project Manager: Jason Donnell

Park Properties Trash Grant

In the fall of 2021, the Park and Recreation Department was awarded $199,836 from the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to implement a pilot program to reduce litter and recycling contamination in City parks.

The program replaced the fifty-five-gallon metal trash cans in the park. These cans were replaced with new trash and recycling receptacles readily identifiable in Fred Moore Park, South Lake Park, and the Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center.

The new receptacles are tip-resistant, have a high recycled materials content, and have bright lids configured to restrict inadvertent waste streams. The grant funded 135 trash and 135 recycling receptacles, anchoring kits, and signage.

Staff Contact: John Whitmore
Dates Implemented: September 2022-December 2022
Grant Award: $199,836.00

South Lakes Park

In 2014, Denton voters approved a bond program that included park improvements. Proposition 4 of the 2014 Bond included the expansion of tennis at South Lakes Park to build two lighted tennis courts. On October 6, 2020, City Council approved a Professional Service Agreement with Adams Consulting Engineers to design South Lakes Tennis Courts for the Parks and Recreation Department. The design was completed in May 2021. In November 2021, City Council approved Obra Ramos to construct the tennis courts. The courts will feature two new tennis courts with pickleball lines. The courts will feature lights that the park user can turn on with a push-button.

Estimated Budget: $514,827.00
Project Location: 556 Hobson Ln. Denton, TX 76205
Estimated Construction Dates: November 2021 to May 2022
Project Manager: Jason Donnell

Southwest Park

August 2022—Project Update
We are excited to announce a new 3.551-mile soft surface grass trail around Southwest Park in southern Denton. This undeveloped 190-acre park is located west of Bonnie Brae and between Allred Rd. and Taylor Park Blvd. The trail meanders around the parcel's perimeter and consists of a large loop bisected by a trail that creates two shorter loop trails. While the trail is temporary, it allows residents to use the parcel in its natural state until park development occurs in the future. Users may see butterflies, deer, and numerous grasshoppers while enjoying the open space. Because Southwest Park is currently undeveloped, the property has no restrooms, water, or lighting within the trails. Users are encouraged to bring water when hiking the new trail. The trailhead and street parking are located at the far west end of Taylor Park Blvd. Standard park hours are in effect from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m.

May 2022—
In 2006, the City of Denton purchased a 190-acre site known as Southwest Park. This property was purchased. The Park Master Plan and Design was an approved project in the 2014 Bond election (Proposition No. 4) for a total of $1,255,000. This project will consist of public engagement, needs assessment, survey, platting, environmental assessments, conceptual design, and phasing options with opinions of probable costs for the park development.

In June 2020, City Council approved Teague Nall and Perkins Inc. to develop the master plan for Southwest Park. From July 2020 to December 2021, the City of Denton and Teague Nall and Perkins Inc. designed a final park rendering through public engagement forums with the City Council, Parks Board, Committee of Persons with Disabilities, internal staff, and the local community. On January 4, 2022, City Council approved the master plan for Southwest Park.

The new park master plan features three different areas that have been defined as Natural, Active, and Indoor. Each area will feature activities respective to the environments. Some amenities are sports fields, playgrounds, preservation of green space, trails, a dog park, and a footprint for a future indoor center. The cost estimate of the proposed items is estimated to be the following:

• Natural Area: $12,732,240
• Active Area: $53,433,600
• Indoor Area: $77,910,000
• Total Cost of Proposed Design: $144,000,000
  

Funding has not been allocated for the construction of this project. However, staff is working on seeking grants and other sources of funding for the creation of this master plan.

Master Plan Cost: $198,800.00
Project Location: Corner of S. Bonnie Brae and Allred Rd.
Project Manager: John Whitmore

Tree Plantings

The City of Denton has a Tree Mitigation Fund that provides funding for tree planting efforts located throughout our City. Trees are generally planted in our facilities, parks, and medians. The number of trees is based on the available space within the project area. Below is a list of locations that have been planted within the Spring 2022 season.

• American Legion Hall
• Briercliff Park
• Cross Timbers Park
• Lake Forest Park
• Linda McNatt Animal Shelter
• Median on Loop 288
• Median on University Dr.
• North Lakes Dog Park
• North Pointe Park
• Owsley Park
• South Lakes Park
• Vela Athletic complex
• Water Work Park

Project Manager: Haywood Morgan

Wolff's Park

Wolff's Park, formerly known as Industrial Street Park, is a .11-acre community park. The Park features an interactive art monument, accessibility, trees, open space, and decorative lighting to make the space inviting and celebrate Denton arts and culture, thus making it uniquely Denton. The park construction began in the Summer of 2021 and was completed in December 2021. Due to various shortages and delays in construction materials, the Park still misses the lights and park name signs but anticipates installing them in the fall of 2022.

The City of Denton's naming policy ordinance (20-2001) features guidelines for city buildings, facilities, land, or any portion thereof. During the summer of 2021, Parks and Recreation received an application to consider changing Industrial Street Park to Wolff's Park. Wolff's Food Store was next to the Park from 1947 to 1997. The Park also served as a meeting location for the Denton Women's Interracial Fellowship group. In November of 2021, City Council approved the naming request for the Park to be named Wolff's Park.

Cost of Construction: $398,825.11
Park Location: 108 Industrial St.
Project Manager: Jason Donnell

Villages of Carmel Park Master Plan

In 2018, the City purchased a 6.5-acre site known as the Villages of Carmel Property. The City of Denton hired Valley Quest Designs in December 2020 to develop a Master Plan. From March to July 2021, the City of Denton and Valley Quest coordinated and designed a final park rendering through public engagement forums with the City Council, Parks Board, Committee of Persons with Disabilities, internal staff, and the local community. On September 21, 2021, City Council approved the master plan for the Villages of Carmel that will feature trails, a playground, lighting, a pavilion, and a parking lot integrated within the existing tree canopy.

On October 1, 2021, the City of Denton Parks and Recreation Department submitted a grant application to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). The grant funding will cover 50% of the proposed construction of the future Villages of Carmel property. On March 24, 2022, the TPWD Commission approved funding to award numerous local parks grants across the state. The Denton Parks and Recreation department is excited to announce that it received the total amount requested and is a recipient of a $621,563 Non-Urban Outdoor grant for the future Villages of Carmel Park.

For more information about the project's status visit the Current Projects tab

Construction Cost: 1.23M (50% Match Grant will be reimbursed by TPWD $621,563.00)

Project Location: 6414 Edwards Rd. Swisher Road and Edwards Road

Master Plan Adoption: September 21, 2021

Estimated Construction Start Date: Summer 2023

Project Manager: Chris Escoto

Bowling Green Park

The Bowling Green Park and Community Garden is located at 2200 Bowling Green St. The 18-acre community park and garden is home to a playground, picnic tables and benches, a small fruit orchard, and a community garden. In December 2020, Council approved Pacheco Koch Consulting Engineers, Inc to serve as the consultants and will be developing a master plan and redesign for Bowling Green Park. From March to July 2021, the City of Denton and Pacheco Koch designed a final park rendering through public engagement forums with the City Council, Parks Board, Committee of Persons with Disabilities, internal staff, and the local community. On September 22, 2021, City Council approved the master plan for Bowling Green Park.

On August 1, 2022, the Parks and Recreation Department submitted a grant application to Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) for the Local Park Grant for improvements at Bowling Green Park. This grant provides funding for 50% of the proposed construction. On January 26, 2023, the TPWD Commission passed funding to award numerous Local Park Grants statewide. The Parks and Recreation department is excited to announce that Bowling Green Park received a grant of $598,532.

For more information about the project's status visit the Current Projects tab

Estimated Budget: 1.1M (50% Match Grant will be reimbursed by TPWD $598,532.00)

Project Location: 2200 Bowling Green St.

Master Plan Adoption Date: September 21, 2021

Estimated Construction Dates: Starting Summer 2024

Project Manager: Chris Escoto

Quakertown Park Musical Equipment

The existing playground at Quakertown Park has received new musical equipment. Funds from the Denton Benefit League and the Denton Parks Foundation made this new equipment possible. This new musical equipment helps continue to celebrate Denton’s musical heritage.