Denia Park Improvements Project

Over the past several weeks, we have worked on excavation and are about to begin final grading. Parks is also currently installing the electrical conduit running from the backstop to the scoreboards. At the first week of January, we will begin working on the retaining walls and fencing around the ballfields.

We received the construction permits for Denia and anticipate full construction Monday 11/11/2024.

In the quest to continually improve the quality of recreational spaces and foster community engagement, staff conducted comprehensive public engagement sessions in February and March. These sessions provided a valuable platform for the community to share their insights and aspirations concerning the proposed improvements to Denia Park. We are delighted to share that the response from the community was overwhelmingly positive, with a shared enthusiasm for the inclusion of trails and upgrades to the softball field that prioritize safety and enhance connectivity within the existing park.

Denia Park's planned enhancements encompass a broad spectrum of improvements designed to elevate the park's functionality and aesthetic appeal. These enhancements include the completion of a loop trail, establishing a vital connection between the park and the nearby Eagle Creek neighborhood. Additionally, the installation of irrigation systems and thoughtful tree planting initiatives will ensure the sustainability and natural beauty of the park for years to come. Recognizing the importance of inclusivity, the project will also prioritize adherence to ADA accessibility requirements, guaranteeing that the park is welcoming and accessible to all members of the community.

Given the ambitious scope of the project, the city has proactively sought external consulting services to ensure meticulous planning and execution. These consulting services will play a crucial role in creating comprehensive construction documents that accurately capture the vision and objectives of the project. We are eagerly anticipating going before the City Council in July to seek approval for the selected consulting firm, which will then proceed to create the necessary construction documents.

As the construction documents take shape, we anticipate their completion by fall, setting the stage for an exciting phase of the project. With construction slated to commence in late fall or early winter, we can look forward to witnessing the transformation of Denia Park into a vibrant, safe, and connected recreational haven for the community.

We invite you to stay tuned for future updates as we progress through this journey of enhancing Denia Park. The collective efforts of the community, our dedicated staff, and the external consulting firm will undoubtedly yield a remarkable outcome that elevates the park's appeal and solidifies its status as a cherished community gathering place.

On February 20, 2023 the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) held a hybrid community input meeting that was held at the Denton Development Services Center and also featured virtually on Zoom. Below is a table that highlights the total number of people that attended.

During the meeting, Staff presented improvements that will be featured at Denia Park. Some of the improvements depend on the public's direction, such as re-orienting the basketball court/futsal court and lights on the trail. The community meeting was recorded and is available below or at the following link, https://youtu.be/tjVpb7Yaa9s

Please provide staff with any feedback regarding the park by March 17. PARD staff will evaluate the input and provide a final plan for the park. Construction for the project is anticipated to begin as early as this spring, with certain items from the scope beginning to be removed/improved. Staff anticipates scheduling another public meeting to provide a solidified plan of the scope for Joe Skiles Park as well as anticipated construction dates.

Staff is scheduled to attend the Denia Neighborhood Association meeting Monday, February 27 at the Denia Recreation Center. We'll love to see you there and provide additional feedback.

City staff from the Parks and Recreation Department will host a hybrid meeting to provide residents an opportunity to provide feedback on planned renovations to Denia Park. The items currently identified as improvements include but are not limited to the following: Loop trail to increase access and connectivity on east & to soccer field, irrigation to improve existing issues and turf quality, softball field improvements for safety, and landscaping improvements. Please join us to help shape the future of our Parks!

Date: Monday, February 20, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.

In-Person Location: Denton Development Services Center, 401 N. Elm Street, Denton, TX 76201

How to Join the Meeting Virtually:
To register in advance for this webinar, click the link.

https://cityofdenton.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xfVvvXUnQomsPdADRs-hlg

Residents are encouraged to sign up for the virtual meeting at least 24 hours before receiving the meeting link. The City will provide special accommodations, such as sign language interpreters for the hearing impaired if requested at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting. Please email parksnrec@cityofdenton.com so that accommodation requests can be reviewed and processed.

Residents unable to participate are welcome to submit input within the Ideas or comments feature in this platform or email them to Fince Espinoza, Assistant Director of Park Planning & Operations, at fince.espinoza@cityofdenton.com(External link).

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact staff.

City Council approved ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding that will be allocated for various Park projects. Denia Park has been identified as a park that will benefit from this new funding allocation.

Starting January 2023, Parks and Recreation & Capital Projects staff will initiate an internal kick off meeting to develop a visionary plan for the project schedule. Staff expects to conduct the first public meeting around Late February to Early March. Meeting information will be provided as soon as dates are confirmed.

Based on information gathered from the public meetings, City staff will produce a final plan to initiate construction documents and move towards construction.