Spring has sprung, and our department is just as busy as the bees in the trees with new and updated projects and programs. Here’s your March 2022 Mansfield Parks & Recreation update:
Future Recreation Center & Library
Last summer, we asked residents to share their vision for how you wanted to play, learn and grow in a future recreation center and library space. After over six months of planning with a consultant, staff, City leadership and a citizen advisory committee, the feasibility study is complete and can be viewed in full online on the project website under the videos & documents tab.
That process included extensive public feedback to determine the amenities, priorities and overall feel/style, developing a proforma to see how much the building would cost to operate and how much revenue could be generated through memberships and rentals, and creating conceptual images that could represent the possible look and layout of the building on the site, which is a 12-acre city-owned property behind StarCenter in the Shops at Broad.
The final report was presented to the Mansfield City Council earlier this year, who selected the project as one of the propositions to put before voters in an upcoming bond election with a number of other capital projects. More information about the proposition, cost, amenities and membership fees can be found on the bond website here. If approved by voters in May, the design and construction process could begin this summer and would take approximately four years.
Mansfield 2022 Bond Election
Earlier this month, the Mansfield City Council voted to place five proposals on the ballot for a May 2022 bond election. Those projects are: a veterans memorial at Julian Feild Park; a joint recreation center and library; renovations and additions to Mansfield’s community parks and athletic facilities (building a soccer complex and large community park on the 138-acre property we own in southwest Mansfield and renovating Skinner Sports Complex into a modern baseball complex with community park amenities); an expansion of Mansfield’s trail network (completing the Walnut Creek Linear Trail to city limits and extending Pond Branch south to Main St.); and a Miracle League field.
You can find more information about each of the propositions on the bond website Mansfield2022.com. City staff will also be giving a detailed presentation and be available to answer questions at the following public meetings:
Tuesday, March 22 at 6pm
Thursday, April 14 at 9am
Monday, April 18 at 6pm
All meetings held at Mansfield City Hall, 1200 E. Broad Street. For more information, contact mansfield2022@mansfieldtexas.gov
Veterans Memorial at Julian Feild Park
Julian Feild Park is the oldest park in Mansfield, built in 1960 and named after one of our city's founding fathers. With that historic significance in mind, the park was selected as the location for a future Veterans Memorial. The project began with a group of residents who formed a nonprofit organization, Mansfield Veterans Memorial and Tribute Foundation, to raise the funds to build a permanent recognition to the men and women who have served our country. In 2021, the City Council directed staff to develop a conceptual master plan and cost estimates based on the foundation’s work in preparation for a potential, future bond election to design and construct the project.
Draft concepts were presented for feedback to a full crowd at the public meeting on Tuesday, August 31. Park Planners and designers used that input to make adjustments and prepare a final concept, which was proposed to the Bond Election Steering Committee and Mansfield City Council, who voted to place the project on the upcoming May 2022 bond election ballot. See more information about the project and bond proposition here.
McClendon Park Improvements
Construction will begin in April to add a splash pad, restroom building and new basketball courts at McClendon Park West. The existing basketball courts and restrooms will be closed once construction begins, with all construction expected to be completed this fall. Adding aquatic elements like splash pads was a major priority out of the 2020 Master Plan and one of the most requested amenities from public feedback. Please follow our Facebook and Instagram pages for more detailed updates as the project progresses.
Gertie Barrett Park
Construction will also begin in April on phase one development of a new neighborhood park off Gertie Barrett Road near Garrettson Lane, just south of Linda Jobe Middle School. The project includes a playground, splash pad, restroom building, pavilion, looped trail and picnic areas. Gertie Barrett Park was the number one priority for the Northwest Quadrant of Mansfield in our 2020 Master Plan and will bring much-needed park amenities and greenspace to residents in that area. Construction is expected to be completed this fall.
Katherine Rose Memorial Park
Work is about to begin on a new master plan for Katherine Rose Memorial Park and Hardy Allmon Soccer Complex that includes an upgraded, inclusive playground and layout improvements for an enhanced experience for all users. Updating Rose Park with a destination playground, consistently rated as residents' favorite and the heaviest-used park in our inventory, was the number one priority for the Southwest Quadrant in our 2020 Master Plan. Stay tuned for upcoming meetings and opportunities to share feedback as we make some exciting improvements to our city’s most beloved park!
Walnut Creek Linear Trail Phase 3B
Planning is underway on the sidewalk improvements/expansions and trail segments needed to complete the WCLT from Cannon/Carlin Roads to Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park.
Recently Completed
Walnut Creek Linear Trail 3A: 1.2 mile trail extension from James McKnight Park East to Cannon/Carlin Rds
Skinner Sports Complex: Entry drive and parking lot improvements & expansion
Save the Date
Mark your calendars now for Summer Discount Day on Thursday, April 21. Save 15% on fees when registering online for camps and classes with the Mansfield Activities Center and Oliver Nature Park from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Summer program guides will be hitting mailboxes soon!
Be sure to follow Mansfield Parks & Recreation on Facebook or Instagram for the latest program and event announcements, project news and behind-the-scenes fun!