The Arlington City Council has unanimously approved an ordinance calling an election to allow voters to decide whether general obligation bonds in the amount of $13.6 million should be spent to acquire, develop, renovate and improve parks and open spaces.

Early voting begins Wednesday, April 20. Election Day is Saturday, May 7. Arlington voters will also be voting on city charter amendments and electing a Mayor and City Council members from Districts 3, 4, 5 and 8.

According to Parks and Recreation Department Director Pete Jamieson, the Parks Master Plan was the foundation for the project selection process.

The Parks Master Plan guides the acquisition of park land, development of new park facilities and the renovation of existing park facilities over the next 10 years. The process for developing the Parks Master Plan began in 2002 when 500 residents were asked to help identify the City’s current and future park, recreation and open space needs as part of a random telephone survey. The telephone survey was followed by a series of public meetings.

"The biggest challenge faced by Parks Bond Committee members was how to prioritize park improvement needs for a $13.6 million budget," Jamieson said.

The process was truly a citizen-driven initiative, said Carole Hoyer, who was appointed by the City Council and served on the 22-member Parks Bond Committee as a co-chair.

"Every Parks Bond Committee member was diligent about going out and visiting every park and every project, with great emphasis on renovation and taking care of what we already have," Hoyer said.

The list of 2005 Park Bond projects and descriptions are attached. For more information about the Park Bond Election, call Parks Planning Manager Gordon Robertson at 817-459-5492 or e-mail robertsongd@ci.arlington.tx.us.

Southwest Nature Preserve ($2,700,000) – Acquisition of 58 acres of property located in southwest Arlington.

Bowman Branch Floodplain ($300,000) – Acquisition of floodplain along Bowman Branch in southeast Arlington for future linear park trail development.

Rush Creek Floodplain ($300,000) – Acquisition of floodplain along Rush/Village Creek for future linear park trail development.

Dog Park ($75,000) – Funding will be used to develop Arlington’s first off-leash dog park. Bond funds will be used to match private donations.

Treepoint Neighborhood Park Phase I ($750,000) – Develop the first phase of a 12-acre neighborhood park in southwest Arlington, including a playground, landscaping, irrigation, picnic facilities, parking, signage, drainage improvements and other associated amenities.

Webb Community Park Phase II ($600,000) – Construct additional improvements in accordance with the endorsed Master Plan. Likely improvements could include additional walking trails, parking expansion, additional athletic field development, a pavilion, a skate park facility and landscaping.

O.S. Gray Natural Area Phase I ($200,000) – Develop the first phase of an existing 20-acre park located in central Arlington, including a parking lot, walking trail and pavilion.

Lynn Creek Trail Connection ($200,000) – Extend the existing linear park trail west to Silo Road and east to Matlock Road, and include pedestrian amenities such as benches and trash receptacles.

Rush Creek Trail Connection ($600,000) – Extend the existing linear park trail from Hardisty Drive to Sublett Road, and include pedestrian amenities such as benches and trash receptacles.

North Sports Center Master Plan ($60,000) – Prepare a master plan for the development of a sports center on 223-acres of undeveloped park property located north of N.W. Green Oaks Blvd. adjacent to Greenbelt Drive and River Legacy Park.

Bowman Branch Trail Connection ($1,190,000) – Develop a 12’ wide concrete trail from Don Misenhimer Neighborhood Park to Webb Community Park, and include pedestrian amenities such as benches and trash receptacles.

Park Partnership Funds ($250,000) – Funds to leverage improvements in various parks with community partners such as neighborhood groups, rotary clubs, and other civic-minded organizations.

Vandergriff Park ($1,300,000) – Proposed renovations and improvements include roadway and/or parking lot reconstruction, new restroom facility, new pavilion, and relocation of the maintenance facility.

Lake Arlington/Ditto Golf Course Renovations ($600,000) – Course renovations and improvements include the renovation of the greens at Lake Arlington Golf Course, and irrigation and pond improvements at the Ditto Golf Course.

Hugh Smith Recreation Center Master Plan ($30,000) – Develop a master plan for a new recreation center at this location.

B.C. Barnes ($250,000) – Proposed renovations include improvements to the playground and pavilion, and adding a walking trail, picnic stations, area lighting, irrigation, and landscaping.

River Legacy Park ($1,000,000) – Proposed park renovations and improvements include reconstructing a portion of the park roadways, parking lots and playground.

Clarence Thompson Park ($150,000) – Proposed park renovations and improvements include reconstruction of the existing parking lot and irrigation for the athletic field.

Pirie Park ($90,000) – Proposed park renovations include replacing the existing playground.

Wimbledon Park ($300,000) – Proposed renovations and improvements include replacing the playground, athletic field irrigation, granite trail replacement, drainage repairs, and adding a new shelter and picnic stations.

Randol Mill Park ($500,000) – Proposed renovations and improvements include reconstruction of the existing playground, replacement of existing restrooms at north end of park and additional trail construction.

Cravens Park ($400,000) – Proposed renovations and improvements include renovating the existing trail, volleyball court drainage repairs, erosion repair, bridge replacement and pond dredging.

Cliff Nelson Recreation Center ($200,000) – Proposed renovations include enclosing an area on the first floor to develop an additional room and reconstructing/expanding the wooden deck with an awning on the southwest side of the building.

HAD Dunsworth Park ($30,000) – Proposed improvements include the addition of a basketball court.

Harold Patterson Sports Center Renovation ($950,000) – Proposed renovations include replacement of two existing irrigation pumps, parking lot repairs, and the relocation and reconstruction of two soccer fields.

Dottie Lynn Recreation Center ($300,000) – Proposed renovations and improvements include developing a distinctive entry area with architectural improvements to the building façade, enclosing the game room/vending area on first floor for class usage, renovating the kitchen and additional parking.

Stovall Park ($150,000) – Proposed improvements include additional parking.

Clarence Foster Park ($50,000) – Proposed improvements include additional lighting along the existing asphalt trail.

Bowman Spring ($25,000) – Proposed improvements include a new pedestrian walkway from Poly Webb Road into the park.

Thora Hart Park ($50,000) – Proposed improvements include adding a retaining wall along Green Oaks Blvd. to correct an erosion problem.