Park improvements near bidding

Farmers Branch plans to seek bids this fall for long-awaited improvements at Squire and Mercer parks after City Council members gave staff direction Sept. 15 on the remaining design choices for both projects.

At Squire Park, council members supported adding a soccer area, playground shade, a larger pavilion and solar trail lighting. At Mercer, they supported adding shade for the pickleball court area and a park identification sign. They decided not to include a proposed tennis court.

Both designs are nearing 100% completion, according to the city. Staff plans to finish construction documents and seek bids this fall. The projects will be bid at the same time but as separate packages, allowing contractors to bid on one or both. Staff said that could help lower some construction costs.

Squire Park has a $1.3 million project budget. Base improvements are estimated at $1.12 million and include a new playground and swings, a basketball and sports court and security lighting.

The four additions supported by council are estimated at $510,000: $150,000 for playground shade, $135,000 for soccer turf, $125,000 for a 20-by-40-foot pavilion and $100,000 for solar trail lighting. With all four additions, staff and council members estimated the total Squire project at about $1.8 million.

Much of the Squire discussion focused on whether part of the sport court should be used for pickleball or soccer. Council members favored soccer while keeping the basketball court.

Council member Lupe Gonzalez said children in the neighborhood have traditionally used nearby fields to play soccer after school.

“I think the soccer one would really be important to have there,” Gonzalez said.

Mayor Pro Tem David Reid also favored soccer, noting that a portable pickleball net could still be set up on the basketball court. Council members also supported playground shade and trail lighting.

Planning for Squire Park dates to 2021, when the city began evaluating improvements after surveying residents. The city considered bond funding in 2022 and 2024 before funding the project through operating budgets and adding surplus funds in November 2025. During an April review, council members discussed a possible soccer area instead of pickleball.

Parks and Recreation Director Robert Diaz said staff went through several versions of the project and returned to residents for more input before arriving at the current design. He said he hopes the work can be completed sometime next year.

Mayor Terry Lynne pointed to how long Squire Park has been under discussion.

“I can recall this being discussed for about four years,” Lynne said. “I’d just sort of like to see something get done.”

Mercer Park has a $2.1 million project budget. Its current estimated base cost is $1,606,795 and includes a new playground and swings with shade, three pickleball courts, security lighting, a basketball court and a 20-by-20-foot pavilion. The current concept grew out of resident outreach conducted in 2022.

Council members initially appeared open to adding a tennis court and asked about the effect its lighting could have on nearby homes. Diaz said the lights would point downward and shut off at the park’s 10 p.m. curfew.

Cost ultimately changed the direction of the discussion.

Staff clarified that the tennis court and lighting would add $360,000. With the $20,000 pickleball shade and $20,000 park sign, including all three additions would put the Mercer project at about $2.5 million.

Reid then recommended leaving the tennis court out. Other council members agreed. The three pickleball courts will remain and will have lighting. A tennis court could be considered later if funding becomes available.

The city also has $1.48 million set aside for the two park projects. The council approved the reserve May 19, giving the city additional flexibility as the projects move into bidding.

The playgrounds will have different themes. Mercer’s design has a nautical look, while Squire’s will feature a castle-and-knight theme with towers and flags.

Staff will now finish the construction documents and seek bids. Final construction costs will not be known until those bids are received.

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