Item 9CCity of Southlake, Texas
MEMORANDUM
January 28, 2007
TO: Shana Yelverton, City Manager
FROM: Steve Polasek, Director of Community Services
SUBJECT: Consider adoption of Bicentennial Park Schematic Design
Action Requested: City Council consideration of the adoption of the Bicentennial Park schematic
design.
Background
Information: The Bicentennial Park Work Group consisting of representatives from City
Council, Parks Board, CISD, Southlake Baseball Association, and City staff
have been working with Schrickel, Rollins and Associates over the last nine
months on the development of the design for modifications and improvements
at Bicentennial Park. The proposed schematic design is intended to provide a
frame work to help guide the City as it relates to future construction
implementation and associated costs. Adoption of the schematic design is the
first step towards revitalization of one of the City's premier facilities. Once
adopted, staff will begin the process of developing a detailed implementation
program for consideration which addresses funding availability and options,
timing and /or phasing of construction, marketing strategies, and partnership
opportunities.
The schematic design incorporates early twentieth century "Americana" with
the Bicentennial theme. The proposed architecture is based on the initial phase
of Southlake Town Square and will utilize such materials as brick, cast stone,
classic style park fixtures (lights, benches, trash receptacles), and dramatic
entry features to create a themed destination for residents and visitors. Some
of the proposed improvements include:
1. Improved entry features at White Chapel, FM 1709, and the proposed
Shady Oaks entrance.
2. Connecting road system with roundabout, bridge, flag colonnade, and
traffic calming devices.
3. Substantial landscape and irrigation system enhancements.
4. Trail system expansion.
5. Additional play structures (3) to include a new "Adventure Alley" that
recognizes and pays homage to the existing structure which would be
removed.
6. A water spray park.
7. Additional lighted tennis courts (5).
8. New lighted sand volleyball courts (4).
9. Safety Town with pavilion.
10. New lighted baseball fields (9) and restroom/concessions to replace and
expand existing facilities resulting in a net increase of three fields. These
improvements would also incorporate a "miracle field," multi- purpose
Shana Yelverton, City Manager
January 28, 2007
Page 2
handicapped accessible facility, for use by both the baseball program and
therapeutic programs.
11. New lighted baseball stadium capable of accommodating 2,000 guests and
suitable for use for high school games, SBA Pony games, wooden bat
collegiate leagues, and special events and concerts.
12. Additional picnic and pavilion areas.
13. Improvements to the "Hill" to include a band shell pavilion, restroom
facility, picnic area, scenic overlook, and the ability to accommodate
historical signage and placement of suitable historic items.
14. New pond feature for aesthetic and irrigation purposes.
15. New maintenance satellite facility.
16. Expanded parking, utilities, and modifications to remaining structures in
keeping with the architectural design.
Future construction plans would be developed to coordinate with other City
planning and incorporate the expertise of additional departments (Public
Works, Planning, and DPS) to insure the final product is designed to reduce
safety and vandalism concerns (lighting, fencing, placement of plant material),
address pedestrian and vehicular ingress and egress (trail linkages, road and
median improvements), and account for drainage and retention.
Financial
Considerations: The estimated costs for the proposed improvements total $26,448,000. A total
of eight construction areas have been delineated to allow for the potential of
phased construction.
Financial Impact: Initial cost estimates for additional personnel (on- going), maintenance (on-
going), utilities (on- going), and capital outlay expenses for equipment (up-
front cost) is estimated at approximately $310,000. These costs would be
reduced in year two by approximately $100,000 to $210,000 following the
initial purchase of new equipment and a vehicle in year one. This cost estimate
is based on the proposed schematic design and may vary slightly with the final
construction documents.
Citizen Input/
Board Review: The Parks Board reviewed and recommended approval (9 -0) of the
Bicentennial Park Schematic Design at their January 8, 2007 meeting.
SPDC will review and make recommendation just prior to the City Council
meeting on February 6, 2007.
The Bicentennial Work Group, consisting of the following members, worked
with staff and the firm of Schrickel and Rollins on the proposed schematic
design over the last nine months:
- Carolyn Morris (City Council)
- John Terrell (City Council)
- Greg Jones (City Council)
- John Slocum (Parks Board)
Shana Yelverton, City Manager
January 28, 2007
Page 3
- Ken Goodman (Parks Board)
- Bobby Rawls (Parks Board)
- Kevin Cox (SBA)
- Spencer Sunstrum (SBA)
- Derek Citty (CISD)
- Harry Ingalls (CISD)
- Larry Hughes (CISD)
Also included and providing valuable input were Ann Wise (Safety Town) and
Stephen and Mia Poorman (Tennis Center).
Staff conducted a joint presentation with City Council, Parks Board, and SPDC
on December 5, 2006.
Staff conducted a presentation to the CISD Board of Trustees on December 11,
2006.
City -wide SPIN meeting held December 14, 2006.
Legal Review: Not applicable.
Alternatives: City Council review and consideration.
Supporting
Documents: Supporting documents include:
- Schematic Plan
- SPIN meeting attendance log and SPIN meeting questions
- public comments received
- Bicentennial Park Schematic Design (previously provided at the December 5,
2006 meeting)
Staff
Recommendation: City Council consideration of approval of the Bicentennial Park schematic
design.
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{rte 8
Southlake Blvd.
SCHEMATIC PLAN
SIGN-IN SHEET
SPIN Neighborbood Forum
Thursday, December 14, 2106 —'x:00 p.m. - -Town Hall Conference Rooms
3A & 3B
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Shana Yelverton, City Manager
January 28, 2007
Page 6
City-Wide SPIN Meeting re.: Ricenteniiial Park — Repoil Questions and Cenunents,
Is that implying the houses on Shady Oaks will not be torn down?
Traffic roi&ol light at White Chapel?
How army use park now?
Huw many will use park when it is built?
Du you anticipate a traffiq. Wt at 17M
I've noticed park set up f-pr tennis and baseball, was there any consideration for any other
sports'?
As we do projects like this, why ftot multi — use?
How about plans for a skate park?
Are you putting sidewalks around the park?
Where will the sidewalks go?
Is the baseball stadium for Iiigh school play'?
Are the baseball facilities grass or turf?
Where is the line on Shady Oaks?
How deep are you going on the field? Wil I I be looking at a pit?
How many people can be seated at the baseball stadium?
Who else would plat there besides high school?
Can that facility be used for wncerts?
Have you looked at big league dream fields that have popped up?
Is them a way to do a concept likr. that?
What 1s. the time fmm ou, th park?
Ho do we pay for it?
What's the buzz on paying for it? Corporate sponsors?
Shana Yelverton, City Manager
January 28, 2007
Page 7
Will there be any sales tax available?
Is there any Grit %cal dependency foT this?
WIlat other activities slid you co ider and meet?
There are Iwo paviIjGns there Crow, would they be moved?
Would there be a repla=lat it for Adventure Alley?
Are all of thou Iris courts already here?
Shana Yelverton, City Manager
January 28, 2007
Page 8
Dec. 21, 2006
Dew Park Board Mmber,
Bicentennial Park is a great asset to our city, and I believe that renovating its ban
fields, tennis courts and mare wi be. mommy well spent.
It's also exciting to sea plans to inc orporate history into the park - but the
Revolutiotary War?? After al something of historical. interest actually happened in the
area that is now the park. What a shame it would be to ignore it.
Bicentenni a] Park overlaps the very spot where, starting in about 1849, thoAsands of
men on their way to the gold fields in California and families travelffig west to a life they
hoped was full of prosperity and promise camped. When you taLtk about westward
expansion and the building of our great nation, this site is the real, deal.
r ye c2alopground was 15 nifles - a day's i ourni%y - west of the California crossing of
the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. Sometimes., 3DO or more wagons would be encircled
there at nightfall,
"Mis area provided the emigrants of a hundred or more wagons [at a time] with an
abundant supply of artesian sp water and all of the wood they wa wrote
Southlake historian Jack Wiesman in his excellent book, "Aa Historical Perspective of
Southlake. and Vicinity." He was writing specifically about the, "Argonauts," men
heading west during the gold rush, but the availability of water and wood continued to
attract wmtw;ird-bound pioneers for decades to come.
In 15 72, baby Amy A, Marr died at the campground. Her grieving par=ts, known. to
us today as only "F." and 'T.A.," sought out a place to bury their daughter and werD
given one nearby soon afteivard
I , Whitt's Chapel CeIneteTy was established, and Amy's
gave, is considered to be its firm
At some point, no one is sure when, the area was named Buriker Hill. Some have
su ggested that as the highest point in now-Southlake, the hiU afforded a good way to spot
"raiding" Indians. (although Taost Indian activity was to the west).
The campground was located along the edga of the furruidable Eastern Cross Tirnbors
region. Traveling west front the campground, wagons would bounce along a trail hacked
tbrougli the dense forest (probably on a route similar to what is now Texas 1 14).
A wagon train, a log cabin, an Indian village, a rattlers' fort (interestingly, as thtn-l
year -old girl who escaped Parker's Fort when Indians kidnapped Cynthia Am Parker is
buried in Southlakt), trail drives (while SotrthWie was NOT on the Chis]Wrn Trail - that
fi started at the Red River and wont north - feeder trails running north from Fort
Worth's main trail (variously called the Eastern Trail or the McCoy T�ai 1] did run
through the area) and more could it] ustrate the history oft important tirne of we
his stwaW
expansion and "ploration.
Additional research could be done jD the archives of the Dallas Public Library and the
'arrant County Flistorica E Commission; in interviews with longtime residents Jeroll
Shiva, Jack Cook and others; and in discussions with Jack Wiesman, who also has a
variety of local maps. I'm told there is information abut tho now-park area in a family
Shana Yelverton, City Manager
January 28, 2007
Page 9
history included in the book "Grapevine Area History," Resembing duds could show
the various owners of the lmd, originally known as the L,13,0, flaffiqurvrny, and that
might lead to finding fhmily papers or diaries that could reveal additional historical
insights.
A secondary idea that. reflects the spirit of Scuthlake and its history is to hoxior
another sort of exploration - not of tho West but of the mind_ In keeping with the
forwrard-looking, creative people of Southlake, why not also spotlight innovation and
technology? AR "Odyssey of the Mhid"-type theme, for example, would challetiges park-
goers to 8*e things in a new way. Aviation could be an important part of the buildings and
playground.
It will be exciting to see gala for Bicentennial Park go forward. As they do, I ]hope
the city will consider theme, more closely tied to Southlake.Whether it be our role in
building America in the 19' century or the 21 st-
SiTweavly,
Anita Robeson
610 Bordeaux Drive,
Sorathlakc
Shana Yelverton, City Manager
January 28, 2007
Page 10
From: johnmrnH n 1zon.ne# rnaf1tr� loh nm�l arrr rerf or7.n ]�.m,..�,...w
Sent: 1utPedne5d43y, Deoember 2% 2006 9:06 AN
To: Mayo'
Subject: Ernaii se nt f m Oty of So uthla ke Web Site
Name: John Milburn
)Marne: 817-442-
Fm johnmrnilbum ca ve zm -net
Connmernts. C.ommem on proposed changes to Bicenter Patk; Great for the kids -of
?uthlake_ Build sornething that fits the needs and Auld it first class. I thought you might
put in a couple of Indoor Fenn is Courts. This would really make the terms center unique
and the recreational facilities of Southlake unique. Because of the Texas heat a lest of
people can't Islay during the day tirne. l don't know of any indoor courts in the
surt sea:. ( I am not a tennis plaW) Do you know if the consultants might have
considered the bwddixg a jogging trail around the entire outside of the park? There are a
lot of bicycle riders in the area and the roads are not real oonducive in S outhlakp, to bikos
with cars_ h1ay be the city can look at away to zive hicyrle riders a place to ride through
the city. (I am not a bicycle rider either). These people are trying to be healthy, they ne ed
tss be safe toes when they ride, Thanks for everything you and the council are doing for the
City of 8outhlake. John Milburn