Summary: The Willow Park Parks Board has requisitioned an exciting, strategic pipe-dream of a Concept Plan for Kings Gate Park. This Concept Plan includes over twenty "features." Part 2 will be published after the Parks Board Meeting.
Latest Update: 02 August 2024
Tags: #Parks
Concept Plan for a "new" Kings Gate Park
The Willow Park Parks Board has requisitioned [1, 2] an exciting, strategic pipe-dream of a Concept Plan for Kings Gate Park. This Concept Plan includes the following:
• History and historical markers for the 1960's Trinity Meadows Raceway or Squaw Creek Downs.
• Trinity Trail and Kids Skills Track
• "unregulated" Soccer fields and playgrounds and "formal play courts"
• Disc golf
• "Event space with seating and stationary games"
• "Food truck spacing"
• A "gathering space", picnic area, and several open spaces
• Sports Complex
• Fenced dog park
• Detention ponds and water features
• Boardwalk Connection
• Several parking lots
• Several seating areas
• and RESTROOMS.
The purpose of developing a concept plan is not only to integrate the "theme and style" of Willow Park throughout all its Parks as documented in the Parks and Trails Master Plan [4], but also to prepare the city to apply for grants and donations.
From the 06 August 2024 Parks Board Meeting:
"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 Councilapproved a contract with Westwood Professional Services to formally program this park, 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 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."
Sources and Resources
[1] 06 August 2024 Parks Board Meeting, Agenda Item 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 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.
[2] 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."
[3] 14 May 2024 Council Meeting, Agenda Item 6. Discussion/Action: to approve an agreement with Westwood Professional Services for Kings Gate Park
• 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
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