• Agenda Items: Vandalism and Purchase of Security Camera for Cross Timbers Park; Concept for Kings Gate Park improvements; Ribbon Cutting for the "Trinity Track" at Kings Gate Park
• Location and Time: El Chico City Hall, 120 El Chico, Suite A, Willow Park, Texas 76087, 6PM
Meeting Page (agenda packet [in.pdf], minutes TBD)
Latest Update: updated 09 August 2024, audio file; posted 02 August 2024
Tags: #Parks
Agenda Items
2. Discussion & Action: Purchase of Security Camera for Cross Timbers Park.
• Background:
On Wednesday, July 24, 2024, possibly between the hours of 1:00 and 5:00 p.m., the Cross Timbers Park restrooms were severely vandalized. The interior wall of the women’s restroom was spraypainted with vulgar graffiti and the commode seal was broken as an attempt to pull it from the wall. All interior walls, door, floor, sink, mirror, commode, and hand dryer of the men’s restroom were heavily spraypainted with more of the same. Fortunately, none of the damage was irreparable, but the Public Works department spent about $100 and worked a total of 6 manhours for reparations before the restrooms could be reopened. Based on the content, and that most of the damage was in the men’s room, Willow Park Police Department believes that the perpetrators were likely young males of approximately 11-14 years of age.
Just two weeks prior, upon tending to the restroom maintenance, our Parks Superintendent found the toilet so clogged that he had to snake the line to clear it, and the entire sink was smeared with, what appeared to be blood.
Additionally, he has had to clean feces smeared on walls in both restrooms. several times before.
Unfortunately, these manners of disgust and disrespect are inherent to public restrooms. The restrooms at Cross Timbers Park are locked 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and the park is surveilled by a security camera and the Willow Park Police Department 24/7; however, catching such vandalism is difficult since it takes place inside of the restrooms. Staff believe that adding a second camera on the roofline of the restrooms, giving a clear view of those who move in and out of the restrooms, and additional surveillance signage will help to deter this behavior and provide WPPD better opportunities for evaluation and identification of persons of interest. The addition of an additional camera will be at an estimated cost not to exceed $3,000, funds which are available within the Parks Department’s current fiscal budget.
If you have any information on these or any crimes committed within the City of Willow Park, please contact the Willow Park Police Department at 817-441-9747 or Emergency 911.
3. Discussion: Concept for Kings Gate Park improvements by Westwood Professional Services.
• Background:
There has been much discussion about desired improvements to Kings Gate Park including restrooms, additional parking, more playground equipment, and sporting areas. On May 14, 2024, the Willow Park City Council [2] approved a contract with Westwood Professional Services to formally program this park [3], rather than choose random projects and placement.
Attached [in .pdf and below in .jpg] is Westwood’s first and second rendering of potential programming for Kings Gate Park. The creation of these concepts took into consideration the 2019 Parks & Trails Master Plan [4] and its community feedback, and the park’s current uses, demographics, and topography for the near 30- acre park space.
Westwood suggests that a new community survey be conducted before adopting any design since five years of growth and typical change in demographics can affect choices of interest for park amenities. This process would likely involve two town hall meetings.
The estimated cost for all improvements shown was not available at the time of publication but will be shared by City Staff at this meeting.
• Exhibits: City of Willow Park Kings Gate Park, Conceptual Design.
• Willow Park Civics Research:
[1] 07 May 2024 Parks Board Meeting, Agenda Item 5. Presentation by Dorothy Witmeyer, Westwood Professional Services, regarding Kings Gate Park programming proposal. Excerpt (More below.)
The attached contract as presented to City Council is for the professional services of Westwood Professional Services, Inc., in the amount of $32,400 for programming Kings Gate Park. These funds are currently available within the Parks Budget for Professional Services.
[2] 14 May 2024 Council Meeting, Agenda Item 6. Discussion/Action: to approve an agreement with Westwood Professional Services for Kings Gate Park
[3] Including Kings Gate Park in the City's Parks Master Plan, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 21 May 2024
• Willow Park Trails Master Plan and the Trails Amendment (EPCoT) Master Plan in .pdf
• Ready to Ride. WP Trail Amendment Master Plan Approved. Willow Park Civics Blog, 20 October 2023
• Willow Park Parks and Trails Index, Willow Park Civics Blog. Summary: Willow Park Civics Blogs, Willow Park Parks Board Meetings and Council Meetings, Parks Board
Informational
4. The Weatherford Mountain Bike Club and the City of Willow Park will be hosting a Ribbon Cutting by the Parker County Chamber of Commerce for the "Trinity Track" at Kings Gate Park on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. All are invited to attend.
Sources and Resources
[1] 07 May 2024 Parks Board Meeting, Agenda Item 5. Presentation by Dorothy Witmeyer, Westwood Professional Services, regarding Kings Gate Park programming proposal. [Updating existing parks and trails master plan.]
• [No background page.]
• [Exhibits included.]
• Westwood, Professional & Concept Landscape Architecture Services, 2024 Parks Master Plan Addendum & Concept in .pdf
• Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is pleased to submit this proposal to provide professional landscape architecture services relating to the referenced project. It is our understanding the project consists of an amendment to the existing parks and trails master plan, to include Kings Gate Park, approximately 30 acres, as well as a conceptual master plan for Kings Gate Park, using the parks and trails master plan to inform programming.
• Basic & Special Services
A. Project Management & Coordination / $3,000.00
B. Conceptual Plan Services / $20,000.00
C. Strategic Planning Services / $7,200.00
D. Public Presentation Services / $2,200.00
TOTAL / $32,400.00
• Willow Park Civics Notes: addendum to Parks Master plan and in context of the Parks Master Plan survey; make Kings Gate Park eligible for grants and other funds
• Willow Park Civics Research
• Including Kings Gate Park in the City's Parks Master Plan, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 21 May 2024
(Yes, bathrooms for Kings Gate Park were mentioned.) Along with the Trails Master Plan Addendum, Kings Gate Park will now be programmed into the City of Willow Park's Parks Master Plan. "Before improvements are chosen, city officials decided it best to formally program the park, rather than choose random projects and placement."
6. Video & Presentation by Larry Colvin, President of Weatherford Mountain Bike Club, regarding Willow Park's "The Trinity Trail" and Beginner Skills Area in Kings Gate Park. Trail Video: Transform your community with trails | Gary Vernon | TED
========
Comentários