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A new and improved Dutch Village Park playground will be resurrected this summer.
The Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department presented plans to the Farmers Branch City Council during the Feb. 4 study session.
The playground was severely damaged in a fire on Jan. 21, 2024.
Dutch Village Park, located at 3020 North Old Rd. was established in 1961, and includes a basketball court and pavilion.
In the 2020 City-Wide Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan, improvements for Dutch Village Park were recommended in two phases. The playground equipment and picnic shelter were to be replaced in 2023 for a cost of $256,000. The basketball pad, picnic tables, benches, trash receptacles and trees were to be upgraded or replaced in 2026 for a cost of $120,000.
Because of the fire, replacement of the playground and amenities will be expedited using a combination of insurance reimbursement funding and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) funding, which was the original plan for upgrading the park.
Parks and recreation staff reached out to the public after the Aug. 24 meeting, which culminated in a public outreach meeting on Dec. 9. Four residents attended, who the city said provided substantial feedback regarding trails, lighting and an emergency box.
Based on feedback, staff intends to install a playground for children ages 2-5, another playground for children ages 5-12, a rock climber and two sensory walls. The playground area will have Pour In Place surface, which is the same material at Joya Park, and two shade structures.
The cost of the playgrounds, including a 14-foot-by-20-foot pavilion, installation and delivery is $549,175.
Concrete for a new sidewalk and fall zone and new electrical for park lighting adds $85,000 to the cost, for a grand total of $634,175. Insurance would cover approximately $180,000, and CIP funds would contribute $454,175.
Park staff sought approval from the council for the site plan and amenities so they can finalize the procurement package. They estimated that they would seek council approval for purchase and installation in March and that installation of the playground equipment would begin this summer.
“The feedback I received from my residents is that they really want it well lit,” said City Councilmember for District 2 Tina Bennett- Burton.
“We have it on our schedule to do inhouse and go ahead bring more light poles within the park… We’d like to get it around the basketball court as well as the playground,” said Parks Superintendent Mark Moffeit.
“What is the traffic and parking like? I imagine most people probably walk to this park?” asked Richard Jackson, councilmember, District 4.
Moffeit said it’s considered a neighborhood park and most people do walk to the park. Parking in that area is along the street. He said most people wanted open space, so the city has to stick with street parking to provide the requested open space.
Councilmember Roger Neal, District 5, asked if the city was underinsured on the structure.
Moffeit said the insurance is an estimate because insurance is replacement cost, but that the parks and recreation is adding more than just the playground to the park.
Council provided direction to move forward with park plan, though Mayor Terry Lynne did ask for park benches to be included since none were shown on the park plan.
