Last year, the Department began a playground replacement project that updated older neighborhood park playgrounds with newer equipment and shade structures. This year, PARD will replace the playgrounds at the MLK Jr. Rec Center, Quakertown Park, Carl Gene Young Sr. Park, Nette Shultz Park, and McKenna Park. The new Patrick Park in the Carnegie Ridge neighborhood will also include a new playground. These projects are scheduled to begin in August and continue through December.
The new G. Roland Vela Athletic Complex is nearing completion and is expected to open to the public in August. Next door to Vela is the upcoming North Lakes Dog Park, which will feature three active pens and is scheduled to open by the end of the year.
Additionally, City Council has approved construction for the American Legion Hall Senior Center renovation, which is now in the final design stages, and the new North Lakes Park Tennis Center, which is expected for completion in 2020.
Parks and Rec is also looking to the future of the Department and the City as they work on a Master Plan that will serve as a road map for the next 10 years. This Master Plan will focus on long-range priorities for existing and future parks, trails, recreation facilities, programs, and more.
To better understand what is important to the community, PARD has hosted multiple public input meetings, community open houses, and an online survey. Community input is a vital part of the Master Plan and will allow the Department to understand needs and where to focus funding in the next decade. To participate in the online survey, visit www.dentonparksmasterplan.com before the survey closes on Wednesday, July 31.