New Skate Park - Grant Submitted

In February 2019, the Parks and Recreation Department identified Mack Park as a prime candidate for a new skatepark. This decision came from a feasibility study conducted by SPA Skateparks, which gathered valuable input from community members about the amenities they wanted to see. The study ranked potential sites for the new skatepark, and Mack Park came in a close second, just four votes shy of the top spot. The recommendation was for a facility of at least 33,500 square feet to handle peak usage, aligning perfectly with the City's Parks System master plan and professional standards for a new skating facility.

Fast forward to this spring, when our dedicated Park staff submitted a grant application to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program to kickstart the redevelopment of Mack Park. The proposal includes a 35,000 sq ft. placeholder for a future all-concrete skate park and pump track. But that's not all! The project also plans for enhancements to the existing baseball fields and trails, improved ADA accessibility, and new shade structures over the playgrounds. These upgrades are designed to transform Mack Park into a vibrant and active space, attracting residents from across the city and the wider region.

The grant application process is a two-step journey, and we're excited to share that we've successfully passed the first step. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has recommended our grant for approval, and it's now being submitted to the National Park Service for national consideration. We'll be on the edge of our seats until November 2024, when we'll find out if we've secured the grant. Stay tuned—we can't wait to bring these exciting changes to Mack Park!