Each year the Parks Division dedicates time and resources to enhancing the DeSoto parks system. Through the City’s annual budget process, funds are allocated to develop and enhance City parks and recreation facilities. Projects are implemented as recommended in the Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Community Facilities Master Plan and placed on the City’s Capital Improvements Program within the identified funding year.

Briarwood Park Project - Completed Winter 2022

1625 W. Beltline Road

Briarwood Park is nearing the completion of its upgrades for 2021. New and improved amenities include new signage, ADA-accessible sidewalks, and a fishing landing. New wider bridges have been installed to allow easier flow of foot traffic as well as improved access for maintenance equipment.
 

During a recent Bond Election, the citizens of DeSoto approved a series of park improvements focusing on developing a comprehensive trail system and additional amenity upgrades. Briarwood Park was included in this Bond Election.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, construction has been interrupted.

On April 20, 2020, staff will host a pre-bid meeting with potential vendors to complete the additional improvements that were included in the Bond Election. The final phase of this project is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2020. The Parks and Recreation Department will evaluate bids for the remainder of the Briarwood Park project on July 9, 2020.
 
 Phase II of this project is scheduled to begin on March 22, 2021.

Park improvements include:

Mirkes Trail - Completed August 2021

During a recent Bond Election, the citizens of DeSoto approved $1.575 million in parkland improvements that included various trail projects:

• Mirkes Loop Trail site for connection to the Roy Orr Trail
• Briarwood Park
• Trail extensions at both Mirkes Parkway and Murphy Hills Park to Alpine Drive

The respective parkland improvements are intended to close existing gaps and improve access and connections to the Roy Orr Trail.  Staff anticipates the start of the project in April 2020. The anticipated completion date is the fall of 2021. 

DeSoto Ranch Nature Trail Park Construction Project - Completed September 2020

Near DeSoto Ranch Subdivision (Polk St & Woodridge)

 During a successful bond election, the citizens of DeSoto approved the development of the nature trail system at DeSoto Ranch.
 Trail improvements include:

• Granite recreational trails
• Environmental and wildlife signage
• Boardwalks
• Bench
• Wildflower area

Most construction is complete and a formal opening is scheduled for summer of 2020.

BMX Track at Grimes Parks - Restroom and Concession Addition - In Progress

500 E. Centre Park Blvd.

 Participants who frequent the BMX facility are currently using portable concessions and restrooms. Adding a permanent concession and restroom facility will enhance the opportunity to continue to attract national and international events. The design portion of this project is in progress. Construction is expected to conclude in 2020.
 

Meadow Creek Park Phase II Project - Completed Summer 2019

1400 Uhl Road

Funding for Meadow Creek Park improvements was approved by DeSoto voters in a recent Bond Referendum.
Park improvements include:

• Addition of 4 athletic fields with irrigation and drainage
• Lighting
• Concrete walkway
• Bleacher pad
• Goal posts & scoreboards
• Installation of new turf
• Grading and soil amendments

During the months of August and September 2019, the installation of the scoreboards, field lighting, and goal posts was completed. New sod and an irrigation system were installed on the competition fields. The newly constructed practice fields have been hydro-mulched. 

BMX Track at Grimes Parks - Concrete Wall Support - Completed December 2018

500 E. Centre Park Blvd.

 The DeSoto BMX Arena was America's first covered bicycle motocross facility built exclusively for BMX racing in 1999. Since its conception, DeSoto's BMX Arena has been the home to multiple national and international events.  Having grown in massive popularity, the International Olympic Committee added BMX to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

 Early last year, the west wall displayed some integrity issues. PBK Architects, Inc. was contracted to design a new concrete wall to provide additional stability. This project was completed in the winter of 2018.

Recreation Renovation Phase II Project - Completed December 2018

211 E. Pleasant Run Road

In order to promote the Council's work plan goal to maintain DeSoto as a safe, clean and attractive community, the Parks and Recreation Department has identified various areas in the recreation center that are in need of facility upgrades. Previous upgrades included the control center, flooring and reconfiguration of the gymnasium entrance. Completion of this project is expected by early Winter.

Renovations include:

• New track surface
• Resurface gym floors
• Painting and graphics
• Replace basketball backboards and goal
• Improved lighting
• Reconfigure racquetball courts

Grimes Park Project - Field Renovation - Completed November 2018

501 E. Wintergreen Road

This project is taking a multi-use field that is not level and in poor shape and renovating it into a level-safe area. The old grass was removed and the soil was tilled, raked and leveled. 175 yards of sandy loam will be added and will be laser leveled. Finally, new irrigation heads will be added and a 3-seed mixture called the Bermuda Triangle will be added. This is a mixture of 3 different similar growth, sports field Bermuda turf species seeds mixed together to create a drought and traffic-tolerant sod. Staff will hydro-mulch the seed mixture, then fence the area off from use for up to 2 months to allow growth. It will then be opened back up for use as a beautiful, safe, level surface area. Construction is anticipated to be completed in early Fall, 2018.

The park maintenance team completed the field restoration at Grimes Park. The maintenance team began the hydro-mulching and seeding stage. Next, the germination stage began which promoted seed growth. After months of ideal weather conditions for plant growth, the playing area is leveled and safe for play.

Civic Center - Bluebonnet Room Renovation - Completed August 2018

211 E. Pleasant Run Road

Over the past few years, the Civic Center Bluebonnet Rooms experienced significant deterioration in the audio system causing a decline in the sound quality and the overall experience for customers. 
 Renovations include:

• Presentation projector monitor
• Projector screen with 165" diagonal viewing surface
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Improved touch panel controls for audio/visual equipment
• Wireless microphones
• 58" Yamaha high-quality ceiling speakers

These upgrades will significantly improve the quality of audio and visual effects for internal and external customers.