RECREATION FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS

PECAN HOLLOW GOLF COURSE
Renovation of the course including a new cart barn, new greens, new fairways, new irrigation system and a fully functioning driving range is nearing completion. An open house and golf course tours will take place Saturday and Sunday October 29 and 30.  Re-opening ceremonies will be held on Monday, October 31.

PLANO AQUATIC CENTER
Plans are being prepared for renovation of Plano Aquatic Center. Renovation will include improved locker rooms, family changing rooms, improved parent viewing areas, improved lighting, improved classrooms, outdoor water play features and complete replacement of the existing indoor pool. The facility is expected to close in January of 2012 and reopen in approximately 12 to 18 months. The facility was built in 1978.

PARK IMPROVEMENTS
 
ARBOR HILLS NATURE PRESERVE
Design is in progress for additional parking spaces and related improvements adjacent to the main parking lot off of Parker Road. The additional parking is being added in response to current over-crowding at the existing parking lot.  Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in the summer of 2012. 

BIKE ROUTE SYSTEM
The City’s Bicycle Transportation Plan identifies streets throughout the city that are suitable for use by on-street bicyclist.   Plans for installing bike route signs on these streets are complete. A contract has been awarded and work is expected to begin in October.  

BLUEBONNET TRAIL - OAK POINT CONNECTION
Plans are being prepared for construction of Bluebonnet Trail from Chase Oaks Golf Course under U.S. 75 to an existing trail in the City of Allen. Construction is expected to begin in late 2011.   This will facilitate a future trail connection into Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve. Connection of the trail into Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve is expected to be complete in the next 2 years.

BOB WOODRUFF PARK – PAVILION REPLACEMENT
Bids have been opened and contract has been awarded for replacement of the 26 year old north pavilion. Work is scheduled to begin in December of 2011.   Work will be completed in the spring of 2012. The pavilion will not be in use while work is in progress. The new pavilion will have essentially the same appearance as the existing pavilion, but with structural steel, LED lighting and modern finishes. The south pavilion is scheduled to be replaced the following year.

CLEARVIEW PARK
Plans are complete for improvements to Clearview Park. Improvements include a new playground, sidewalk additions, drainage improvements and tree planting. Construction will be dependent on drought conditions.  

CHASE OAKS GOLF COURSE TRAIL CONNECTION
A trail connection from the end of Hoblitzelle Park through Chase Oaks Golf Course connecting to Oak Ridge Drive has been planned for many years. Staff is working with the City of Allen to complete the connection during their renovation of Chase Oaks Golf Course which is owned by the City of Allen. Staff is also looking closely at other possible options for completing the connection.

CHISHOLM TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS
Plans are nearing completion for improvements to Chisholm Trail in the Big Lake area. Improvements include a stone border around the pond, trail overlooks, tree planting and enhancements to the bridges at Cross Bend Road and Deerfield Drive. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2012. 
 
FRANK BEVERLY PARK
Plans are complete for improvements to Frank Beverly Park. Improvements include the addition of off-street parking on Banner Elk Circle and the addition of a parking lot just north of the existing church parking lot.   Improvements will also include drainage improvements, additional sidewalk, irrigation additions and tree planting. Construction will depend on drought conditions.  

HIGH POINT TENNIS CENTER SHADE SHELTERS
Engineering plans are being prepared for the installation of 14 shade shelters. The shelters will be located adjacent to selected courts throughout the facility. Work is expected to begin late in 2011 and be complete by the spring 2012.

HIGH POINT TENNIS CENTER LIGHTING REPLACEMENT
The existing lighting at High Point Tennis Center is over 30 years old and has reached the end of it useful life. Plans are complete and bids have been opened. A contract is expected to be awarded in November. Construction is expected to begin in December 2011 and be complete by March of 2012.

HOBLITZELLE PARK IMPROVEMENTS
The project includes construction of a new athletic field restroom. Fence and sidewalk improvements in the athletic field area are also included in the project. Work is substantially complete.

LEGACY TRAIL
Legacy Trail is planned to run along White Rock Creek from Parker Road to State Highway 121. The trail is complete from Preston Road to just south of McDermott Road. Trail from Preston Road to Legacy Drive is scheduled for construction in the spring and summer of 2012.  Staff is working to acquire the remaining easement needed to complete the trail between Legacy Drive and Spring Creek Parkway. This section of trail is expected to be complete in the next 2 - 3 years.

OAK POINT PARK AND NATURE PRESERVE
The 801 acre park runs along Rowlett Creek and stretches from Parker Road to State Highway 5. The Park connects with Bob Woodruff Park to the south. Together the two parks form over 1,100 acres of uninterrupted parkland. Construction of recreational trails, restrooms, a pavilion, parking, earthwork, utilities, landscaping, irrigation and associated improvements where completed in 2009. Construction of a 20,000 square foot visitor’s center has been postponed due to budget constraints. The visitor’s center will include classrooms, catering kitchen and exhibit space. The estimated cost of the visitor center is $5,000,000. An additional $5,000,000 was approved in the 2009 Bond Referendum for continued development of the park. Staff is updating the program for these improvements based on current use patterns at the park.  Master planning and preliminary design for these improvements will begin by the end of 2011. 

PARK EROSION CONTROL PROJECTS
Work is in progress on erosion control projects at Coyote Creek Park, Shady Brook Trail, Archgate Park, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve (@ Los Rios Blvd.), White Rock Creek Greenbelt, Harrington Park and Chisholm Trail.

PRAIRIE MEADOW PARK
Plans are complete for replacement of the irrigation system. Construction will be dependent upon drought conditions.

PRESTON RIDGE TRAIL AT LEGACY CROSSING
Construction has begun on improvements to the Preston Ridge Trail crossing at Legacy Drive. The improved crossing will eliminate the need to cross Legacy Drive at Preston Meadow Drive. Improvements will include curb ramps, signs and motion activated flashing lights to improve awareness of motorist and trail users.  Work is expected to be complete in the spring of 2012.  
 
SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY PARK
The City has a 52 acre community park site at the northwest corner of Park Boulevard and Alma Drive. The park will be used for passive open space, open turf areas, large community pavilion, trails and related improvements. The site will not include intense improvements such as lighted athletic fields.  Funding for the improvements will need to come from a future bond election. The property has been leased back to the existing owner for many years.  This relieves the City of any maintenance cost prior to development of the park for public use.  Residents in adjacent neighborhoods will have an opportunity to review the plans and provide input when plans are available. 

SHOSHONI PARK
Lighting in the playground area of the park is scheduled to be installed in 2012.

SUNSET PARK
The City recently acquired a 6 acre addition to Sunset Park.   Plans are in progress for improvements to the park. Improvements will include the addition of a parking lot along McKamy Trail.   Improvements will also include development of the new park area with an irrigation system, sidewalks, tree planting, practice backstops, soccer goals and a trail connection to the existing trail in The Colony. Construction is expected to begin in 2012 depending on drought conditions.  

WHITE ROCK CREEK COMMUNITY PARK
In 2009 the City acquired the final piece of a 124 acre community park on White Rock Creek at the intersection of Spring Creek Parkway and Windhaven Parkway. Development of the park for public use will not take place for approximately 5 years. The park will be for passive park uses such as trails, picnic pavilions, playgrounds and open space. The site will not include intense improvements such as lighted athletic fields.   All parking lots will be accessed from Spring Creek Parkway and Windhaven Parkway and not from adjacent residential streets.  Residents in adjacent neighborhoods will have an opportunity to review the plans and provide input when plans are available. Preliminary planning will begin in October.

WILLOWCREEK PARK
Plans are being prepared for renovation of the existing lighting at the park. The project will include state of the art remote control of lighting zones and performance monitoring of the lighting system. Installation of the lighting is scheduled for 2012.