Summary: (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."
Latest Update: 21 May, 2024
Including Kings Gate Park in the City's Parks Master Plan
[*] source
Along with the Trails Master Plan Addendum, Kings Gate Park will now be programmed into the City of Willow Park's Parks Master Plan. (And yes, bathrooms for Kings Gate Park were mentioned.)
Dorothy Witmeyer of Westwood Professional Services, Inc. [*3] submitted the proposal during the 07 May 2024 Parks Meeting [*2] and it was approved during the 14 May 2024 Council Meeting. [*1]
"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" [*2]
This inclusion will allow Kings Gate Park to provide services in context of the City's larger plan and to be eligible for grants and other fund raising.
"There has been much discussion about desired improvements to the popular park, including restrooms, additional parking, more playground equipment, and sporting areas. Also the Weatherford Mountain Bike Club is beginning construction of the first vision of the Willow Park Trail System this month with The Trinity Track, which will also include a beginner skills area in the future.
"Before improvements are chosen, city officials decided it best to formally program the park, rather than choose random projects and placement." [*4]
Source and Resources
[*2] 14 May 2024 Council Meeting, Agenda Item 6. Discussion/Action: to approve an agreement with Westwood Professional Services for Kings Gate Park. #Parks
• Background
Kings Gate Park was conveyed from the Wilks Development to the City of Willow Park in December 2023. This 30-acre park is largest in our city and it hosts a playground, concrete walking trail, and parking lot.
There has been much discussion about desired improvements to this park including restrooms, additional parking, more playground equipment, and sporting areas, and the Weatherford Mountain Bike Club is beginning on construction of the first vision of the Willow Park Trail System this month with The Trinity Track, which will also include a beginner skills area in the future. Before improvements are chosen, it was the desire of Staff and Mayor Pro Tem, Lea Young, to formally program this park, rather than choose random projects and placement.
Dorothy Witmeyer of Westwood Professional Services, Inc., designed and executed the Cross Timbers Park playground and restroom, which opened in April 2021. Since then, it has been populated by our community’s families on a daily basis. With this success, it is proposed that Ms. Witmeyer’s same skills be requested for Kings Gate Park.
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.
• Exhibits: Westwood Professional Services, Inc.’s Contract Proposal will provided prior to the meeting.
[*1] 07 May 2024 Parks Board Meeting, Agenda Item 6. Discussion/Action: to approve an agreement with Westwood Professional Services for Kings Gate Park. #Parks
• Background
Kings Gate Park was conveyed from the Wilks Development to the City of Willow Park in December 2023. This 30-acre park is largest in our city and it hosts a playground, concrete walking trail, and parking lot.
There has been much discussion about desired improvements to this park including restrooms, additional parking, more playground equipment, and sporting areas, and the Weatherford Mountain Bike Club is beginning on construction of the first vision of the Willow Park Trail System this month with The Trinity Track, which will also include a beginner skills area in the future. Before improvements are chosen, it was the desire of Staff and Mayor Pro Tem, Lea Young, to formally program this park, rather than choose random projects and placement.
Dorothy Witmeyer of Westwood Professional Services, Inc., designed and executed the Cross Timbers Park playground and restroom, which opened in April 2021. Since then, it has been populated by our community’s families on a daily basis. With this success, it is proposed that Ms. Witmeyer’s same skills be requested for Kings Gate Park.
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.
• Exhibits: Westwood Professional Services, Inc.’s Contract Proposal will provided prior to the meeting.
• Willow Park Civics Research
• 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
[*4] Residents address council with construction complaints, The Community News, 16 May 2024, Excerpts
Kings Gate Park programming At the meeting the council approved hiring Dorothy Witneyer of Westwood Professional Services to program improvements to Kings Gate Park.
Kings Gate Park was conveyed from the Wilks Development to the City of Willow Park in December 2023. This 30-acre park is largest in the city and hosts a playground, concrete walking trail, and parking lot.
Cost for the programming is $32,400. These funds are currently available within the parks budget for professional services.
"We need a plan in place," Assistant City Manager Bill Funderburk told the council.
There has been much discussion about desired improvements to the popular park, including restrooms, additional parking, more playground equipment, and sporting areas. Also the Weatherford Mountain Bike Club is beginning construction of the first vision of the Willow Park Trail System this month with The Trinity Track, which will also include a beginner skills area in the future.
Before improvements are chosen, city officials decided it best to formally program the park, rather than choose random projects and placement. The goal of programming is to bring more people to the park and can include:
• Diversifying user profiles.
• Enhancing park experiences.
• Promoting affiliation and engagement.
• Encouraging users to interact.
• Changing the ways a park is perceived.
• Encouraging future visits.
Witmeyer designed and executed the Cross Timbers Park playground and restroom, which opened in April 2021. Since then, it has been populated by the community’s families on a daily basis.
"That park is heavily used," Funderburk said.
Young also noted another benefit from Tuesday's approval.
"This allows us to apply for grants if it's in the master plan," she said.