Based on the input of the community and City leadership, this Master Plan will guide parks and recreation development within DeSoto in the next 5, 10, and 20 year time periods. Strategies have been developed to support and expand on previous planning efforts to assist the Parks and Recreation Department in moving the recreation offerings of the City into the future.
2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 01 CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 02 CHAPTER 2 - GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
03 CHAPTER 3 - PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS 04 CHAPTER 4 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY 05 CHAPTER 5 - NEEDS ASSESSMENT 06 CHAPTER 6 - PRIORITIZATION OF NEEDS AND ACTION PLAN
APPENDIX
3 City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
City Council Curtistene McCowan, Mayor Kay Brown-Patrick, Place 2
Nicole Raphiel, Place 3 Andre’ Byrd SR., Place 4 Dinah Marks, Place 5 Candice Quarles, Place 6 Kenzie Moore III, Place 7 Mayor Pro Tem
Parks Development Corporation Board M. Reneé Johnson- Managing Director of Parks and Recreation Kenzie Moore III, Place 7 Mayor Pro Tem- Council Representative Gail Lofton
John McCalib Entaure Tyson Althea Satterfield White Shronda Whitfield
Candace Sledge Pierette Parker City Staff Brandon Wright- City Manager M. Reneé Johnson- Managing Director of Parks and Recreation Christopher Glover- Assistant Director Stephanie Young- Administrative Staff Assistant Steve Moore- Athletics Manager Consultant Team Brad Moulton, ASLA- la terra studio- Project Manager Michael Black, ASLA- la terra studio- Project Director
5 City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
01
INTRODUCTION
01 - INTRODUCTION Introduction:
Discover, Experience, Play. Through these words the City of DeSoto’s Parks and Recreation Department summarizes its mission to enrich the quality of life in DeSoto by providing World Class customer service, premier parks, and dynamic recreational experiences. DeSoto is home to 53,568 residents as of 2016. With about 22 square miles, the city is nestled in southern Dallas County in between two major highway arteries; Interstate 20 and Interstate 35. The City has 22 parks (494 acres) and seven trails (12.85 mi.) within the city limits. Based on the input of the community and City leadership, this Master Plan will guide parks and recreation development within DeSoto in the next 5, 10, and 20 year time periods. Strategies have been developed to support and expand on previous planning efforts to assist the Parks and Recreation Department in moving the recreation offerings of the City into the future. Purpose: In order to remain eligible for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grant program, the City is required to update its Parks and Recreation Master Plan every five years or before major developments occur. The last Plan was released seven years ago in 2011, with the City’s Comprehensive Plan being released in 2015. The 2020 update will combine previous considerations along with updated ideas to develop a current plan. The information provided serves as a starting point and gives the City an understanding of the next steps to take in advance the quality and image of its parks system.
8
01 - INTRODUCTION
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department In addition to these purposes, the update to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan serves as a submittal to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to gain project priority for potential grant consideration for park, recreation, and open space improvements. This plan applies the TPWD established Master Plan Guidelines. To remain eligible for the project priority program for grant funding, the Plan must include, at minimum, a summary of:
• Accomplishments • New public input
• Most recent inventory data • Updated needs assessment • Priorities • New implementation plan • Demographics • Population projections • Goals and objectives • Standards • Maps
Open Space & Trails Master Plan 9
City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation,
01 - INTRODUCTION
CAPRA Agency Accreditation: The Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) recognizes park and recreation agencies for excellence in operation and service. Charged with providing high quality services and experiences, park and recreation agencies across the United States turn to CAPRA Accreditation as a credible and efficient means of achieving these goals, while providing assurance to the public that the agency meets national standards and best practices. Below are the general steps required for accreditation: 1. CAPRA-approved training. 2. Application for Accreditation and required fees. 3. City develops a self-assessment report. 4. Accreditation manager will schedule a visit to the City. 5. Commission selects a visitation team to confirm the information in the City’s self-assessment report 6. The proposed visiting team and their resume will be provided to the City. 7. The visitation team conducts its on-site review. 8. Review by Commission. 9. City accreditation applicants appear in person before the Commission at the NRPA Conference. Reaccreditation is required every 5 years. More information can be found at https://www.nrpa.org/certification/
10
01 - INTRODUCTION
Related Planning Efforts DeSoto’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan has been updated to leverage the successful and high-quality foundation established by the 2015 DeSoto Comprehensive Plan and the previous Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails Master Plan completed in 2011. The Plan provides an updated and action-based framework for parks and recreation to positively contribute to the future of DeSoto. In September 2015, the City of DeSoto adopted a new comprehensive plan, which was developed as an update to the City’s 2003 plan. The purpose of the comprehensive plan is to establish goals and guidelines for future development decisions in DeSoto. This Plan provides a unified vision of what DeSoto should become and a long-range statement of the City’s public policies. It is important to note that this plan is not a mandate; it is a flexible guide for City Staff and City stakeholders to determine the future of DeSoto. It contains ideas, graphics, and actions that were identified by residents and molded into a cohesive vision for the future. The Comprehensive Plan was created by the people who know DeSoto best – its residents – through a Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. This committee was created to guide the plan’s development and recommend a draft plan to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. This Parks Master Plan expands on the goals of the Comprehensive Plan as a roadmap to pro-actively address changes to the City’s parks and open spaces, recreation and programming, trails and sidewalks, and facilities and operations. The recommendations of this Plan should also support other City planning efforts relating to topics such as sustainability, mobility, and capital improvements. The DeSoto Capital Improvement Program (CIP) should contain the updated parks and recreation priorities of this Master Plan.
2011 Parks, Recreation, Open-Space & Trails Master Plan
City Of DeSoto PARKS & LEISURE SERVICES
Comprehensive Plan City of DeSoto September 2015
2015 DeSoto Comprehensive Plan | 1
Open Space & Trails Master Plan 11
City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation,
01 - INTRODUCTION Demographics
Population
A full analysis of the Parks and Recreation system is not solely based on the inner workings of the department but includes the community being served as well. In providing a comprehensive parks and recreation master plan, researchers must analyze both current and projected demographics to determine the composition of the population and its needs. Understanding these trends is a critical component in planning the current and future delivery of recreation programs and facilities for DeSoto. This community snapshot shows that DeSoto is an educated, rather progressive community with a growing African American and Hispanic population. It also shows a shrinking White population, and a fairly even mix of the population between the ages of 5 and 65. The population had a tremendous growth spurt in the years between 1990 and 2010 but has begun to slow down as the City reaches build out.
Male – 44.9% Female – 55.1% Median age - 37.8
o Under the age of 5 – 6.5% o Between the ages of 5 and 20 – 23.0% o Between the ages of 21 and 45 – 28.4% o Between the ages of 46 and 65 – 23.7% o Older than 65 – 10.8%
Population Growth
1990 – 30,544 2000 – 37,646 2010 – 49,047
60000
50000
53523
49047
40000
37646
2019 - 53,568 (estimated) 2020 - 53,873 (projected) 2030 – 59,000 (projected)
30000
30544
20000
15538
10000
0
1980
1990
2000
2010
2018
Ethnicity
Income Median household income - $58,711
Education 92.3% high school graduate or higher (Compared to U.S. average of 85%) 28.6% bachelor’s degree or higher (Compared to U.S. average of 30.4%
African American – 69.3% White – 26.1% Hispanic – 16.1% Asian – 0.5% American Indian – 0.1% Other – 4.8% Mixed Race – 2.2%
Per capita income - $27,194 Median home price - $147,500
12
01 - INTRODUCTION
Plan Framework This Plan merges the current assets in DeSoto with the community’s hopes for continued success. Achieving the Vision will require collaboration between the City leadership and other stakeholders in the area. Ordinance amendments, capital improvements, catalyst projects, incentives, programming, and combinations of funding and partnerships are among the techniques the City can use to achieve the Vision. The Components and following chapters of the Plan include: Goals and Objectives - Identifies parks and recreation service goals and specific objectives on how each of the goals will be reached. Plan Development Process - Identifies how public input was received and who was involved in developing the Master Plan. Site and Facility Inventory - A collection of data on existing park, recreation, open-space, and trails currently provided by the City. Needs Assessment - Assesses the parks and recreation needs using demand- based, standard-based and resource-based needs. Needs shall be clearly identified and methodology outlined for determining needs. Prioritization of Needs and Action Plan - Includes a list of accomplishments from the previous Master Plan as well as a priority list of needs ranked in order of importance and a time frame established for when these needs will be met.
Open Space & Trails Master Plan 13
City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation,
02 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
02 - GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Goals and Objectives
The 2020 Master Plan will establish new goals for the system that support and complement the existing goals of the 2011 plan. It is important to keep working toward past goals along with expanding needs. Previous goals are summarized as follows: • Create a user friendly Master Plan; one that is revisited annually with realistic development objectives • Improve communication/ citizen input; by involving youth, senior, etc. groups in discussions and identifying the needs of the citizens • Cost effective park development; create a realistic plan that is based on the current and projected economic situations of the city • Recreation activities that meet our needs; expand recreational activities and the continued development of the trails system . The following goals and objectives were developed within this Master Plan update. The following chapters support the creation of these goals: Goal 1 – To create an attractive, accessible, and cohesive Parks System with exceptional maintenance and amenities • Expand the City’s parkland areas • Encourage partnerships with public and private partners and public and
private groups to expand parkland within in the city • Ensure all properties are being well maintained • Install amenities based on needs and community feedback
16
02 - GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Goal 2 –Provide and expand options to connect destinations and create leisure and recreational opportunities. • Continue the current focus of the City to provide a hike-and-bike trail system that will connect neighborhoods to schools, parks, and activity centers and will eventually provide a loop-trail system of off-street trails that will be accessible to a majority of the City • Construct new trails and sidewalks through partnerships and grants • Connect city park destinations with the trail system • Improve trails and sidewalks maintenance and communication throughout the city in partnership with Development Services Goal 3 – Create a Recreational System centered on destinations allowing for an active community • Expand recreation facilities within the city • Upgrade and add additional recreational facilities • Create athletic venues that are attractive for tournament, use which will provide an economic boost to the community • Develop and maintain premiere facilities creating a quality-of-life experience that will encourage relocation to DeSoto Goal no. 4 – Recreation activities that meet our needs • Expand fitness-center capability to meet current needs • Provide more space for aerobics and crafts • Provide for year-round adult coed sports • Provide youth workplace training • Partner with corporations located in DeSoto to provide services and recreation opportunity to employes • Provide a physical and social venue for “active seniors” (55 to 65 years of age) • Increase year-round senior activities that mirror the community needs
17
City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
03 PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
03 - PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS Process
The planning process used to develop this Master Plan included the following: 1. Staff Involvement 2. Existing Site Inventory 3. Needs Analysis 4. Public Workshops and Surveys Results from this process influenced the plan development and are presented throughout the Master Plan. Engagement and Feedback The Parks and Recreation Master Plan efforts in 2011 and in 2019 include; a complete parks, recreation, open space, and trails needs assessment. Activities included obtaining community input through stakeholders meetings, community- wide public meetings, the random distribution of a comprehensive community survey, creating a profile of demographics of the DeSoto area, and examining national and local recreational trends. The results and recommendations of the Plan are based on an extensive process of community engagement including: • A branded project website for updates and information • On-site team workshop with staff • Social media posts and advertisements promoting the plan and engagement opportunities • A Community-wide public workshop • Extensive staff involvement and interviews • A comprehensive online survey The following are summaries of each engagement event.
20
03 - PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Public Workshop On July 24, 2017 the Parks and Recreation Department and the Planning Team hosted a community workshop at the City Hall complex. More than 50 citizens participated in the event. The planning team gave a short presentation that provided participants an introduction to park planning, the park planning process, as well as goals of the plan. In addition, current trends in park and recreation planning and design were presented in order to further the participants’ knowledge of possibilities for DeSoto. After the presentation, the attendees participated in an engagement activity that recorded specific Likes and Wants for the park system as well as recorded ideas on a series of large-scale maps of the city. The meeting concluded with a summary of the findings from the activity as well as a description of next steps for the planning process. Takeaways The following pages graphically represent the results from the workshop. Common themes arose among the attendees giving the planning team an idea of important issues to the community: Likes: • Walking/Biking Trails • Baseball and Softball Fields • City Amphitheater • Senior Center Wants: • Additional Trails • Indoor Pool • Youth Activities • Senior Center Upgrades • Dog Park
21
City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
03 - PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Likes and Wants
At the Public Workshop, attendees were asked to write down what they liked about the City’s Parks and Trails system and what they wanted to improve in the City’s Parks and Trail system. The following list was generated from their responses: LIKES
Walk/Bike Trails Baseball/Softball Fields Roy Orr Trail City Center Amphitheater Indoor Walking Track
Recreation Center Hours Organization Senior Citizen Areas Outlook for Master Planning Programming City Efforts to Improve Baseball Fields More Events Variety of Exercise Classes Security Around Fields Expansion Potential at Meadow Creek Park Daddy/Daughter Valentines Dance Parking Lot Canopy Area Tables/Chairs Lighting Hours Great Location for Parks Park on Pleasant Run Restrooms Serving Spring & Summer Months
Les Zeiger Park Senior Center Briarwood Park
Soccer Fields Moseley Park Safe Children’s Parks Ernie Roberts Park Open Green Space Basketball Youth Football Grimes Park Food Trucks BMX Meadow Creek Park
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03 - PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
WANTS
Walking Trails Bike Trails Throughout City Indoor Pools Trail Lighting Activities for Youth/Kids Dog Park Updates to Senior Center
Board Games in Parks Stage for Large Concerts Art Festival/Exhibits Funding for Maintenance Female Sports Leagues Park Pavilions Expand Community Pool Clean Up Dog Poop Running Track Develop DeSoto Ranch Park Meadow Creek Park Improvements Rugby Toddler Park Skate Trail Senior Center Field Improvements Public Golf Course Picnic Areas Windmill Hill Preserve Security/Safety Revenue Streams Complete Amphitheater Work with Schools Indoor Walking Track Signage to Enforce Rules for Track
Water Aerobics Security on Upstairs Walking Track Improved AC for Racket Ball Courts Open Green Space Additional Softball Fields Walking Clubs Passive Space Amenities for Reflection Information on Trails & Directions Outdoor Activities, e.g. and Volleyball WiFi at Parks Covered Space/Shade for Exercise Areas Year-Round Activities for Park Use Multi-Purpose Area for Boot Camps Access to Subdivisions Additional Youth Football Practice Fields Restrooms and Concessions Grass Trails w/ Water Spigots Use Fields Not in Use Water Access “Cooling Station” Policy Changes Update Rec Center Lighting System Lights @ Townsend Park Personal Trainer @ Reasonable Cost
Additional Parks Aquatics Center Community Garden BMX/Skate Park Splash Pad Recreation Center Improvements Restaurants/Shopping Theater Performances Water Park Roy Orr Trail Improvements Ponds Briarwood Park Improvements BMX Track Improvements Native Landscaping Pickleball Courts Ten Mile Creek Park Security
23
City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
03 - PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS Team Workshop
Throughout the plan development process the planning team met with the Parks and Recreation staff to insure direct involvement with the individuals who would be using the Master Plan. On June 14, 2019, the planning team joined the parks staff at their annual planning retreat for an update on the plan. Staff broke into four groups and defined departmental priorities for the future. Common themes included: • Special needs programs and facilities • Updates to existing parks • Trails and amenities
Takeaways: Group One:
• Parking at Meadow Creek • Moseley Park renovation w/ aquatics • Restrooms in neighborhood parks • Amenities along trails Group Four • New mowing contracts • Improve landscape standards • Parking at Senior Center • Park updates/replacing • Special needs playground • Expansion Senior Center • Create urban forestry manage - ment • Splash pad and new pool • Park signage • Pool renovation • New recreation center
• More special need programming • Accessible playgrounds • Bike trails • Art in the park
• New recreation center • Entertainment venue • Skate park • Aquatics • Theater upgrade • Indoor aquatic facility • Family oriented park • Larger recreation center • Amphitheater
Group Two:
Group Three:
• Update playgrounds • Lights Meadow Creek/Townsend • Fencing for back fields Grimes Park
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03 - PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
DeSoto Survey Analysis An online survey was provided for the community to respond to a variety of issues regarding the parks system. The survey was available on the Parks Master Plan website for three months. The following is a summary of the results of the survey. Respondent Profiles • The survey gathered 144 responses over the course of 12 weeks. • Over 50 percent of respondents were between the ages of 35 and 55. The survey had a good distribution of respondent ages overall. • 69 percent of respondents were female. The difference in gender response rate could be due to word of mouth for this particular effort reaching more women than men. Typically online surveys are free of gender bias due to their availability to everyone, but in this case, there may be a skew toward female responses due to the significant difference in respondent gender percentages. • Over half of respondents did not have any children under the age of 19 in their home. For parks and recreation purposes, that could mean that more amenities for adults could be applicable in DeSoto, and it also means that responses to the survey could be slightly skewed toward adults without children rather than the alternative. • Over 52 percent of respondents had been a resident of DeSoto for more than 10 years, and the majority of respondents had been a resident of DeSoto for over three years. This is characteristic of a stable community. Typically residents who have lived in a city for a considerable amount of time have generally lower expectations than new residents. It is possible that due to an influx of new residents in the region and in DeSoto, expectations could steadily rise for new and improved parks and recreation amenities. The satisfaction levels tended to be high with the City when it came to the parks in reference to the quality of maintenance. However, that same number decreased by about 18% with a total response hovering a little over half when it came to the provided recreational activities. The numbers show that while parkland may not be a large issue with the residents, the provided recreation plays a large factor in satisfaction.
25
City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
03 - PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Facility and Program Usage Approximately 37 percent of respondents used a City park or recreation facility at least once a week, whereas approximately 23 percent of respondents reported never using a City park and recreation facility, or using one at least once a year. The following Parks and Recreation facilities reported the highest rates of utilization within the past year:
Recreation Center
46%
Zeiger Park
40%
Grimes Park
29%
Roy Orr Trail
24%
For the top facilities utilized within the past year, these are fairly low rates of utilization overall.
Approximately 76 percent of respondents utilize the City’s trail system, which is a moderate rate of utilization. The top reasons for utilization of the City’s trail system were the following:
Zeizer Park
Exercise
38%
Leisure
26%
Communing with Nature
7%
Of particular note is that no respondents utilize the trail system for transportation. This suggests that there is potential opportunity for more multi-use trails to connect destinations in DeSoto and neighboring cities.
Grimes Park
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03 - PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
The following adult outdoor recreation activities received the most responses for participation by the respondent or their family within the past year:
Walking, Running, Strolling, Rollerblading/Skating
79%
Special Events (Concert, Festival)
46%
Watching Outdoor Sports Activities in Person
33%
Swimming/Diving
24%
Picnicking
21%
Running, Walking, Strolling
Field Sports (Soccer, Football)
18%
The activities selected reflect a fairly passive leisure community.
The following children’s outdoor recreation activities received the most responses for participation by the respondent’s children or their family within the past year:
Walking, Running, Strolling, Rollerblading/Skating
50%
Special Events (Concert, Festival)
36%
Field Sports (Soccer, Football)
24%
Outdoor Concert
Swimming/Diving
24%
Watching Outdoor Sports Activities in Person
20%
Picnicking
19%
Similar to adult outdoor recreation, the activities selected reflect a fairly passive leisure community.
Picnic
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City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
03 - PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
The following adult indoor recreation activities received the most responses for participation by the respondent or their family within the past year:
Exercise Classes
35%
Cardio Training/Workout
33%
Watching Games/Spectator
27%
Basketball
22%
Exercise Class
Weight Lifting
19%
Based on the responses, the most popular adult indoor recreation activities center around fitness. The feedback reflects that there is additional demand for aquatics, an improved recreation center, and an expanded senior center.
The following children’s indoor recreation activities received the most responses for participation by the respondent’s children or their family within the past year:
Watching Spectator Game
Watching Games/Spectator
31%
Basketball
26%
Swimming/Diving
17%
Bowling
14%
Exercise Class
13%
The rates of children’s indoor recreation utilization were generally low compared to other cities suggesting a community that is either leisure/passive recreation- focused or that there is a need for additional children’s programming.
Swimming
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03 - PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Satisfaction Ratings Respondents were generally satisfied or very satisfied with recreational activities provided by the City, across all age groups. More than two-thirds of respondents (68%) reported the two most positive levels of satisfaction regarding the quality of maintenance of DeSoto Park and Recreation facilities (very satisfied and satisfied). Only 14 respondents in 144 reported the two negative levels of satisfaction, and the remaining 22 percent of respondents selected the middle or neutral level of satisfaction. These responses in levels of satisfaction are generally satisfactory but reflect some areas of opportunity in terms of maintenance of park and recreation facilities. Approximately half of respondents (51%) reported being very satisfied or satisfied with the recreational programming provided by the City of DeSoto. The remaining respondents selected the mid-rating of “3” or less. These responses in levels of satisfaction reflect additional needs in recreational programming. Respondents provided the following top reasons for lack of participation in programs and park usage offered by the City:
Don't Know What Programs are Available
33%
Lack of Time
28%
Lack of Options
22%
Don't Know Where all the Parks/Trails are
18%
The responses reflect a need for additional communication on the City’s website and social media, as well as within the community on what programs and facilities are available.
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City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
03 - PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Future Improvements Approximately 85 percent of respondents answered “yes” or “maybe” to the need for additional parkland in DeSoto, but only 47 percent answered “yes.” When such a high percentage of respondents answer “maybe” (38 percent) instead or “yes” or “no,” it reflects the desire for additional parks only if it is of a particular type the respondents are looking for. The write-in responses for the purpose of additional parkland are summarized as the following:
Picnic Area Large Parks Fishing Spots Neighborhood Parks Recreation Programming Playground Event Space Skate Park Multi-Purpose Facility Court Sports Field Sports Natural Areas Dog Park Trails Aquatics/Pools/Splash Pad
Aquatics/Pools/Splash Pad
17
11
9
5 5 5
4
3 3 3 3
Trails
2 2
1 1
Dog Park
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03 - PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
The following park and recreation facilities were the top selections of respondents to be added to the City of DeSoto:
Restrooms Splash Pads Water Park (Lazy River, Wave Pool, Slides, etc.) Indoor Recreation Center/Aquatics Center
44%
42%
41%
34%
Hike and Bike Trails (Soft Surface) Hike and Bike Trails (Hard Surface) Dog Park
33%
31%
Indoor Rec/Aquatics
30%
Picnic Facilities Swimming Pool
29% 29%
The themes present for needs relating to an improved indoor recreation center (and senior center), for various aquatics amenities, restrooms, a dog park, and trails are consistent throughout the feedback. When asked to rank funding priorities, the following list is ranked in general order, weighing options from first priorities to last priorities: 1. Renovating and upgrade existing parks 2. Preserving natural areas 3. Develop new hike/bike trails 4. Develop new neighborhood parks 5. Parkland acquisition 6. Develop new athletic fields Renovating and upgrading existing parks as the top funding priority is a great sign that the parks and recreation system is providing an acceptable number of parks in the right locations. To achieve the highest levels of satisfaction with Parks and Recreation, however, additional parks, programming, maintenance, and communication are necessary.
Water Park
Splash Pads
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City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
03 - PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Communication The following methods were most preferred for receiving information related to Parks and Recreation activities and programs in DeSoto:
Social Media
62%
City Website
50%
45%
Water Bill Insert
40%
Flyers/Direct Mailers
38%
Social Media
City Website
Flyers
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03 - PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Community Input Takeaways: The overall consensus of the survey results is an overall satisfaction with the City’s parks and trails and facilities with positive responses given to a majority of the questions asked. Key takeaways from these results are as follows: • High utilization rate for the recreation center, Zeiger Park, Grimes Park, and Roy Orr Trail. • Moderate utilization rate of usage for all City trails with desire for ability to walk to parks. • High to moderate participation in outdoor activities by city residents. • Demand for additional recreational opportunities including aquatics, improved recreation center, expanded senior center, and a dog park. • Respondents were generally satisfied with recreational activities provided by the City. • A high majority of respondents felt a need for additional parkland in the City. • Respondents request for better communication from the City using the City’s website, social media, and other means for what programs and facilities are available. • Funding for renovation to existing parks is a top priority.
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City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
04
SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY The following is an updated version of the 2011 inventory of the parkland managed by the City of DeSoto. While significant development on parkland has occurred, no new land acquisition has taken place. The City of DeSoto has a broad collection of park, special-use, and trail facilities to meet the recreational needs of the citizens. Currently, the City has 494 acres in 22 parks, trails, and recreational facilities. Some of the parkland includes undeveloped City-owned property that could be developed into park facilities. The location of each of the existing park, special-use, and trail facilities is located on the Existing Parkland Map on page 39 (Map 1), the Existing Trails Map on page 65 (Map 2), and the Existing Facilities Map on page 75 (Map 3). The City also offers recreational facilities at DeSoto Independent School District sites. Likewise, the Canterbury Private School and 5 different Homeowner Associations provide their own recreational facilities in DeSoto for everyone to use. Table 4.3 identifies each school district, private school, and HOA recreation site and the recreational amenities offered at each location.
36
04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
Table 4.3
37
City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
Parks The Existing Parks System Map (Map 1) found on page 39 shows the existing parks system. Site inventory is also important to identify the existing parks and facilities in need of improvements.
Park:
Classification:
Size (Acres)
1 2 3
Meadow Creek Park
Regional
102.11
Ten Mile Creek Greenbelt
Special Use/Linear
88.09 74.03 60.19 25.27 22.73 19.45 15.60 13.51 11.92 10.03
Grimes Park
Regional
Ernie Roberts Park
4 Windmill Hill Nature Reserve Special Use/Linear
5
Zeiger Park
Community
6 DeSoto Ranch Park
Special Use/Linear
7 8
Moseley Park
Community Undeveloped Neighborhood Neighborhood Neighborhood Community Undeveloped Neighborhood Undeveloped
Meadowbrook Park
9 Briarwood Park
10 11 12 13
Townsend Park
Kiva Park
Ernie Roberts Park Briarwood North Park
9.62 8.23 7.19 6.04 5.34 4.20 3.70 3.69 2.31 0.28
Kiva Park
14 Mantlebrook Park
15
Bearson Park
16 Town Center Park
Special Use/Linear
17 18
Murphy Hills Park North Elerson Park
Neighborhood Neighborhood Undeveloped
19 Cockrell Hill Park
21 22
Nance Farms
Special Use/Linear
Robin Meadow Park
Undeveloped
TOTAL:
494.53
Briarwood Park
38
04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
Existing Parks System Map 1
39
City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
Blue Bonnet Dr.
Meadow Creek Park
Location: 1400 South Uhl Road Size: 107 Acres Type: Regional
Inventory:
Meadow Creek Park site is a regional athletic complex designated for football. There is a premier field which is used by the school district, 3 more game fields. Support facilities for the football fields include a concrete parking lot, a restroom/ concession building, and raised bleachers on all game fields, all of which are lighted. During large events, the parking area is insufficient and an adjacent open area must be utilized for overflow parking. Currently the park site is only 30% developed. In 2015 a Master Plan was completed for the park which would expand the sports fields, add additional amenities, and become a destination community park.
East Parkerville Road
ENTRY SCULPTURE
PAVILION
PAVILION
REFECTION POND
• Soccer Fields • 4 Football Game Fields • Parking • Concessions Building • Restroom Facilities • Picnic Tables • 3 Multi Purpose Fields
WILDFLOWER MEADOW
PARKING
PAVILION
TRAIL
RESTROOMS
SCULPTURE GARDEN
TRAIL
BENCH SEATING
SCULPTURE GARDEN
BENCH SEATING
STAGE
AMPHITHEATER (10,000 SEATS)
PARKING
PARKING
PARKING
PARKING
PRACTICE FIELDS
DROP OFF ZONE
CAFE & RESTROOMS
POTENTIAL FUTURE D.I.S.D. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITE
RAIN GARDEN & OUTDOOR EDUCATION
SKATE PARK
PARKING
SPLASH PAD
RECREATION & AQUATICS CENTER
RESTROOMS
PAVILIONS
DROP OFF ZONE
LAWN
PAVILION
ADA PLAYGROUND
PAVILION
EXISTING PARKING
EXISTING FOOTBALL FIELD
PLAYGROUND
PAVILIONS
OUTDOOR AQUATICS
TRAIL
PAVILIONS
LABYRINTH
PAVILIONS & SEATING
LAWN
SOCCER FIELDS
POTENTIAL FUTURE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
LAKE
PAVILIONS
PAVILIONS & SEATING
EXISTING PARKING
EXISTING FIELDS
TRAIL
PAVILIONS & SEATING
TRAIL
Scale: 1”=100’
0’ 50’ 100’
200 ’
400’
MEADOWCREEK PARK M a s t e r D e v e l o p m e n t P l a n S E P T E M B E R , 2 0 1 6
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04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
E. Pleasant Run Rd.
Ten Mile Creek Greenbelt
Location: Ten Mile Creek Size: 88.09 Acres Type: Natural
• Creek • Concrete Trail • Undeveloped Open Space • Roy Orr Trail Inventory:
Ten Mile Creek Greenbelt is the open green space surrounding Ten Mile Creek that serves various functions for the surrounding area, including storm water management, wildlife habitation, green space, trails, and parks. The area has an abundance of mature trees and vegetation that provide shade along with visually appealing focal points and locations. The expansion of the Roy Orr Trail will continue in the greenbelt along with other recreation activities for citizens to enjoy. Preservation of the natural landscape is paramount to retaining its appeal.
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City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
E. Centre Park Blvd.
E. Wintergreen Rd.
Grimes Park
Location: 501 East Wintergreen Road Size: 74.03 Acres Type: Regional Grimes Park is a regional park that is heavily programmed with sports activities. The park is divided into three specific use zones: a covered BMX park, a baseball complex, and a soccer complex. The BMX park is a public-private operation operated by an outside concessionaire. The baseball complex consists of nine fields of varying sizes and two practice fields. One of the fields is a premier field with raised covered bleachers. In addition to the game fields, two restroom/concession buildings serve the complex. Two of the challenges associated with the Grimes Park baseball complex are inadequate parking and a lack of storage space. The soccer complex is separated from the baseball complex by a creek and is divided into two zones with a total of nine fields. A restroom/concession building is located in the southern zone; however an additional restroom/concession building is needed in the northern zone. Adjacent to the soccer complex is a playground and picnic area located along the creek.
• 9 Baseball Game Fields • 2 Baseball Practice Fields • 9 Soccer Fields • 3 Restrooms • 3 Concession Buildings • Parking • Playground with Covered Pavilion • Picnic Tables • Covered BMX Park Inventory:
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04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
Windmill Hill Nature Reserve Inventory: • 2 Parking Areas • 3.2 Miles of Soft-Surface Trails • Neighborhood Access
Location: 1410 North Duncanville Road Size: 60.19 Acres Type: Natural Windmill Hill Nature Preserve is a special- use park that consists of a heavily wooded nature preserve with minimal development. The park is served by two parking areas that function as trail heads for the 3.2 miles of soft-surface nature trails that lace through the preserve. Originally developed by Dallas County, Windmill Hill is now managed by the City of DeSoto.
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City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
Eagle Dr.
Les Zeiger Park
Location: 400 Eagle Drive Size: 24 Acres Type: Community
• 3 Softball Game Fields • 4 Basketball Goals • Playground • Restroom • Concrete Trail • Parking • Neighborhood Access • Fitness Stations • Picnic Tables Inventory:
Les Zeiger Park is a community park that is primarily a sports complex. The park is dominated by a 3-field adult softball complex and 4 basketball courts. One of the most popular improvements on the site is a lighted perimeter jogging trail. The park also contains amenities for the surrounding neighborhood.
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04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
Woodridge Rd.
DeSoto Ranch Park
Location: 1024 Woodridge Drive Size: 22.7 Acres Type: Natural
• 2.5 Miles of soft surface nature trail, overlooks, and rest areas Inventory:
DeSoto Ranch Park is a heavily wooded park site in a largely undeveloped area of DeSoto. The park site is located along a major tributary of the Ten Mile Creek. The character of the site with the heavy tree cover, the creek, and two lakes lend this site to more natural passive park development. A soft surface trail with several respite areas among the trees was constructed in 2019.
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City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
Moseley Park
Location: 1300 Honor Drive Size: 19.45 Acres Type: Community
Inventory:
Moseley Park is a community park with a wide array of improvements. The park is packed with active recreation improvements including a girls softball complex, a family aquatic center, a playground, a basketball court, and a sand volleyball court. The girls softball complex includes 3 fields, a restroom/concession building, and two shade pavilions. Originally developed as adult softball fields, the fields are now designated for girls softball, which only utilizes a portion of the outfield. These outfield areas need to be programmed for something else. There are drainage issues associated with the fields and the storage buildings at the complex are in disrepair and need to be removed and replaced. The aquatic center has been updated recently. The playground is adjacent to a parking lot and should be relocated to a more adequate site, in addition to the basketball court.
• 3 Softball Game Fields • Basketball Goal • Playground • 2 Restrooms • 2 Concession Buildings • 3 Pavilions/Shelter • Swimming Pool/Water Park Features • Parking • Neighborhood Access • Batting Cages
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04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
Meadowbrook Park
Location: 1350 North Westmoreland Road Size: 15.6 Acres Type: Undeveloped The Meadowbrook Park site is located adjacent to the Roy Orr Trail in the Meadowbrook neighborhood. The proposed park site is open with scattered tree cover primarily along the Roy Orr Trail. The park site has direct access to Hampton Blvd. Portions of the park site are located within the 100- year flood plain. This park site would be suitable for neighborhood park development including amenities such as a loop trail, playground, and pavilion. This park site will also provide direct access to the Roy Orr Trail.
• Undeveloped Inventory:
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City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
W. Belt Line Rd.
Briarwood Park
Location: 1625 West Belt Line Road Size: 13.51 Acres Type: Neighborhood
Inventory:
Briarwood Park is a neighborhood park constructed by the developer of the surrounding subdivision. Primarily a passive park, Briarwood was developed along a creek with a landscaped pond cut into a rock hillside and is home to a flock of friendly ducks. An attractive pavilion overlooks the duck pond, and a winding concrete trail connects two playgrounds on the south end of the park to the pond at the north end. A small off-street parking area is located near the pavilion.
• 2 Playgrounds • Concrete Trail • Pavilion/Shelter • Fitness stations • Parking
• Neighborhood Access • Picnic Tables/Benches • Pond • Zip Line
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04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
Ray Ave.
Townsend Park
Location: 1001 North Polk Street Size: 11.92 Acres Type: Neighborhood
• 1 Baseball/Practice Field • 8 Soccer Fields • Playground • Parking • Neighborhood Access Inventory:
Townsend Park is a unique neighborhood park. The park provides traditional neighborhood amenities such as a playground and several practice fields. The large open- space has been programmed for 8 soccer practice fields and parking – features which are not typically associated with neighborhood parks. There is an opportunity to create a loop trail, and the wooded area at the northern portion of the park would be a perfect site for a pavilion and picnic facilities.
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City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
Kiva Park
Location: 1155 Beaverbrook Lane Size: 10.03 Acres Type: Neighborhood
• Playground • Pavilion/Shelter • Parking • Concrete Trail • Neighborhood Access • Picnic Table • BBQ Grills • Access to Kiva Trail Inventory:
Kiva Park is a spectacular park nestled in an abandoned rock quarry with exposed rock outcroppings encircling the entire park. This park is a true neighborhood park in that it is completely surrounded by residential housing. The park can be accessed from the Kiva Trail, which runs through the neighborhood in an overhead utility easement. Park improvements include a covered playground and a small off-street parking area. One area of concern is the drainage problem that stems from multiple storm drain outlets which discharge into the park.
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04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
E. Pleasant Run Rd.
Ernie Roberts Park
Location: 515 East Pleasant Run Road Size: 9.62 Acres Type: Community
Ernie Roberts Park is a multi-function park which serves as a trail head in the center of the Roy Orr Trail by providing parking, a restroom, and drinking fountain. The park also provides a railroad-themed playground consistent with a neighborhood park, although it’s not directly accessible by neighborhoods. The park also includes four rental pavilions that are popular sites for birthday parties and family reunions.
• Playground • Restroom • 4 Pavilions/Shelter • Parking • Picnic Tables with Barbecue Grills • Benches • Trail Access to Roy Orr Trail Inventory:
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City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
Silver Creek Meadows Trail
Location: Silver Creek Meadows Length: 0.66 Miles Type: Trail
• Concrete Trail Inventory:
The Silver CreekMeadows Trail was constructed by the developer of the Silver Creek Meadows subdivision. The 8’ wide concrete trail follows along a tributary of Ten Mile Creek. Future expansion of the trail will connect the neighborhood to the sidewalk system along Westmoreland Road. One area of concern is erosion along the creek. This erosion has placed sections of the trail in jeopardy of being undermined.
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04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
Beverly Dr.
Mantlebrook Park
Location: 1350 North Westmoreland Road Size: 7.19 Acres Type: Neighborhood The Mantlebrook Park site is located adjacent to the Roy Orr Trail in the Mantlebrook neighborhood. The proposed park site is open and surrounded on three sides by residential development. This park site would be suitable for neighborhood park development that include amenities as a playground, pavilion, and open-space for unorganized play. This park site will also provide direct access to the Roy Orr Trail.
• Loop Trail • Access to Roy Orr Trail Inventory:
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City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
Eagle Dr.
Bearson Road Park
Location: 1625 W. Belt Line Road Size: 6.04 Acres Type: Undeveloped
• Undeveloped Inventory:
Bearson Road Park is an undeveloped park site adjacent to Veloweb Trail. The site is relatively flat and is dominated by a number of well-established Cedar trees. The site is bound by a wooded fence row along the west and south side of the park and tree cover along a drainage swale on the east side. The park acreage lends itself for future development as a neighborhood park although the park is cut off from the neighborhoods to the west by Elerson Rd. Direct pedestrian access, which is a traditional component of a neighborhood park, is able to be achieved from the neighborhoods to the east by way of the Veloweb Trail.
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04 - SITE AND FACILITY INVENTORY
E. Pleasant Run Rd.
Town Center Recreation Center
Location: 211 East Pleasant Run Road Size: 5.34 Acres Type: Special Use The Town Center development includes multiple recreation facilities, including the Recreation Center, Black BoxTheater, and n outdoor amphitheater. The Recreation Center was developed from an old supermarket and is heavily used by a broad mix of users from athletes, weight and fitness users, dancers, walkers, and joggers. The recreation center has been heavily utilized over the years and is in need of updating. Adjacent to the recreation center is the recently renovated Black Box Theater. This 160-seat theater was developed in 1996 and provides a home for community and professional theater productions. The outdoor amphitheater is located behind the Town Center on the banks of Ten Mile Creek, looking over the Roy Orr Trail. The amphitheater was renovated and received a new shade structure in 2010.
Inventory:
• Amphitheater • 2 Gymnasiums • Indoor Walking & Jogging Track • 1 Racquetball Court • Weight Room/Fitness Areas • 2 Multi-Purpose Rooms
• Black Box Theater • Roy Orr Trail Access
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City of DeSoto - 2020 Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Master Plan
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