Summary: The City is planning two town hall meetings and a survey to give Willow Park Citizens the opportunities to direct the improvements planned for Kings Gate Park. The first town hall will be this Fall 2024 and will gather considerations to be included in the survey. The survey will take three to four months. The second town hall is planned for the first part of 2025.
Latest Update: 27 August, 2024
Two town halls and a survey will help plan the future of Willow Park's Kings Gate Park. (Kings Gate Park, Part 2)
The City is planning two (2) town hall meetings [1] and a survey to give Willow Park Citizens the opportunities to direct the improvements planned for Kings Gate Park.
During the 06 August 2024 Parks Board Meeting [2] and the 13 August 2024 Council Meeting [3], the City discussed a Concept Plan for Kings Gate Park improvements presented by Westwood Professional Services. The City paid Westwood "$32,400 for programming Kings Gate Park [into the City's Master Parks and Trails Plan, 4.]; these funds are currently available within the Parks Budget for Professional Services."
The first town hall will be this Fall 2024 and will gather opinions and considerations to be included in in the survey. The survey will take "3 to 4 months" and will be submitted to Citizens over various communications channels that will assure all Willow Park Citizens, who want to participate, have a chance to be heard.
The second town hall, planned for the first part of 2025, will be to inform Willow Park Citizens as to the results of the survey and to start the City's process to implement and finance the Concept Plan for Kings Gate Park.
The King Gate 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
• Additional amenities suggested are a basketball court and pickle ball court.
The Kings Gate Concept Plan, which is a $1.3M buffet of amenities, gives the City the option of implementing based on the City and Citizen direction and on funds availability. In addition, the Parks Board emphasized these Westwood prices were "extremely high" and contain 30% for "contingencies"
The general financial plan is to start simple with existing funding and budgets and then start submitting grants, fundraising, and sponsorship.
Additional information on the Kings Gate Park Concept Plan may be studied in the following articles and sources:
• Concept Plan for a "new" Kings Gate Park, Part 1, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 06 August 2024
[4] 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
• Including Kings Gate Park in the City's Parks Master Plan, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 21 May 2024
• Ready to Ride. WP Trail Amendment Master Plan Approved. Willow Park Civics Blog, 20 October 2023
• "Willow Park Ribbon cut for new trail and more." Article by The Community News, 23 August 2024, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted TBD
Willow Park Sources and Resources
[1] town hall > Merriam Webster
noun
1: a public building used for town-government offices and meetings
2: an event at which a public official or political candidate addresses an audience by answering questions posed by individual members
[2] 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 [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
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
[3] 13 August 2024 Council Meeting 3. Discussion/Action: Kings Gate Park Concept Plans and Memorial Park consideration for relocation. #Parks
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