Round Rocker: Parks and Recreation 411 : Parks, Parks and Recreation

Parks Development Updates Issue #5

Roger Heaney — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:25:00 GMT

Settlement Park: Project completed.
Take a look at the completed project:

Play for All Abilities Park
Status: Under Construction (70% complete)
Est. Completion: January 2012

Park Amenities: park for children and adults of all abilities, including Large Playscape Pod, Retreat Pod, Rock Band Pod, Sensory Pod, Swing Area, and Village Pod. Each pod was designed specifically with children with disabilities in mind to ensure the pods offered valuable developmental, social, and recreation opportunities for children of all abilities.

Current Project Progress:

90% of concrete work is completed
Playground equipment for Large Playscape Pod, Sensory Play Pod, and Swing Area is installed
Poured-in-place surfacing to be installed in mid-December
Trees to be planted mid-December
Fence installation to start late December

Buck Egger Park
Status: Construction (50% complete)
Est. Completion: February 2012

Park Amenities: parking lot, synthetic turf multipurpose field, and grass multipurpose field

Current Project Progress:

Parking lot and sidewalk complete
Chemical stabilization near completion
Synthetic turf field scheduled to be completed by end of year
Natural grass field scheduled to be completed by mid-January

Rock Hollow Park
Status: Construction (80% complete)
Est. Completion: January 2012

Park Amenities: +/- ½ mile of concrete trail replacing existing asphalt trail, ADA accessibility improvements

Current Project Progress:

Approx. 80% of concrete trail installed
Construction should be complete by Christmas
Tree planting tentatively scheduled for January

Clay Madsen Recreation Center
Check out the final improvements to the center:

Municipal Office Complex (MOC) Plaza
Status: Under Design (delayed due to re-design of Brown/Florence Street Improvements)
Est. Completion: Design – November 2011
Construction – August/September 2012

Park Amenities: concrete plaza, performance lawn, areas designed for street festivals, “pillars of the community”, secondary performance stage/shade structure, amphitheater overlook/bat viewing area, improvements to amphitheater, electrical system for street festivals, landscape areas, Brown/Florence Street Improvements, MOC parking lot improvements

Current Project Progress:

95% plans completed, awaiting re-design of Brown/Florence Street
TCEQ WPAP revision to be submitted in January/February timeframe, 3-4 month review

Rabb Park/Brushy Creek Trail Restroom Building
Status: Construction
Est. Completion: January 2012

Park Amenities: Building with 3 unisex, accessible restrooms

Current Project Progress:

Site utilities installed
MEP rough-in complete
Slab to be poured next week

OSPV Triple Crown Complex Restroom Building
Status: Construction
Est. Completion: Design – October 2011
Construction – January 2012

Park Amenities: 4-6 stall restroom building, site utilities and sidewalks

Current Project Progress:

Contract awarded by City Council on November 22nd
Construction to start mid-December

Memorial Park Bridge Repair
Status: Construction (75% complete)
Est. Completion: December 2011

Park Amenities: Repair 100’ pedestrian bridge crossing Brushy Creek that was damaged in September 2010 flood

Current Project Progress:

Steel beams and railings have been replaced
Finish welding to be complete next week
Decking to be installed over next two weeks

Somerset Park
Status: Construction (10% Complete)
Est. Completion: February 2012

Park Amenities: renovation of playground, concrete trail, shade structure, site furnishings (picnic tables, benches, drinking fountains) and possible basketball court

Current Project Progress:

Demolition and removal of all existing amenities is complete
Rough grading work underway

Chisholm Valley Park
Status: Construction (15% complete)
Est. Completion: February 2012

Park Amenities: renovation of playground, shade structure, +/- ½ mile of concrete trail, multipurpose rec field, site furnishings (picnic tables, benches, drinking fountains), trees

Current Project Progress:

Demolition and removal of existing amenities complete
Rough grading is underway

Rabb House Redevelopment Project
Status: Design
Est. Completion: Design - Spring 2012

Park Amenities: design and construction documents for the redevelopment of Rabb House (damaged in September 2010 flood)

Current Project Progress:

Architectural agreement finalized and to be authorized at January 12th City Council Meeting

OSPV Reuse Water Project
Status: Design
Est. Completion: Spring 2012

Park Amenities: removal/replacement of existing irrigation system valves, heads, etc. to comply with reuse water requirements. Renovation of existing irrigation system at Lakeview Pavilion area, Football Complex, Cricket Field, etc.

Current Project Progress:

Utility Dept. to start mainline work and point of connections late-December or early January
Compliance repairs and time sensitive renovations tentatively scheduled for January 2012
Major renovations tentatively scheduled for Feb/March 2012

Kensington Greenbelt Improvement Project
Status: Design
Est. Completion: Design - March 2012
Construction – September 2012

Park Amenities: replacement of existing trail, playground, site furnishings and addition of pavilion structure

Mesa Village Improvement Project
Status: Planning
Est. Completion: Design – May 2012
Construction – October 2012

Park Amenities: replace existing asphalt trail with decomposed granite, replace existing pavilion, and improvements to existing multipurpose field

Brushy Creek Regional Trail Gap Project
Status: On-hold
Est. Completion: Spring 2013

Park Amenities: +/- 2.5 miles of Brushy Creek Trail from Sonoma subdivision, across Brushy Creek, connecting to Rabb Park and AW Grimes Blvd multi-use path. Also connects to Greater Lake Creek Trail totaling approx. 7 miles.

Current Project Progress:

R.O.W. acquisition negotiations on-going

Parks Development Updates Issue #2

Roger Heaney — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:25:00 GMT

Construction has continued around town and many projects are coming along quite nicely. As the Parks and Recreation Department has met with community members, new projects have been added to enhance various features around the city.

Chisholm Valley Park
Located in the Chisholm Valley housing development, Chisholm Valley Park spans 3.32 acres and includes a shelter, picnic areas, grills, one playscape, and a practice field. A Public Input Meeting was held on July 13 about the Chisholm Valley Park improvements. Funding is already in place for the removal and replacement of several park amenities. Currently, the focus is on new playground equipment and a walking trail. Pending funding, future plans may also include a multipurpose field, sand volleyball court, and a basketball court.

Rock Hollow Trail
Rock Hollow Park spans 12.52 acres and includes 0.44 miles of trail. Also in the park are picnic areas, grills, and two playscapes. The grounds are located inside the Chandler Creek neighborhood and the amenities offer multiple options for outdoor recreation and play.
A Public Input Meeting was held on July 12 to discuss the improvements to Rock Hollow Trail. The objective of the improvements is to re-align the trail in a few areas to allow for better access to park features and to improve the current intersections and connectivity. Funding is already in place to remove and replace the existing trail throughout the park.

Clay Madsen Recreation Center
The Clay Madsen Recreation Center was closed for part of last month as basketball and racquetball courts as well as floors throughout the building were refurbished. This month, the weight room received an important and state-of-the-art equipment upgrade. The weight room was closed for one week as all of the old equipment and flooring was removed, recycled rubber fitness flooring was added, and brand new equipment from Precor was installed. All of the equipment in the room looks streamlined and modern. As an added bonus, the hallways throughout the building received a finished coat to make them extra shiny. And they finished everything in less time than they had planned!

Play for All Abilities Park
A park designed for children of all ages and abilities – who could have thought of that? A family who has a child with a disability and has had trouble in the past finding a park suitable for their child to play in, that’s who. The Play for All Abilities Park has been designed for children of all abilities to play in side-by-side without hindrance. And construction has already begun!

Construction continues at the park as workers lay down utilities and electrical lines. All the brush has been cleared away from the area and the next project will be grading of the site and earth work.

Main Street Plaza
Lying adjacent to the City Hall building, this construction project is intended to create a friendly, green environment and be family focused. The goal is to bring art and culture together with interactive and imaginative play and education as well as use for rest and relaxation during the day.

The next two weeks will be busy for the workers at the Main Street Plaza site. Scheduled to go up are the stage, shade structure poles, fountain pumps, and art screens. Also in the works are the sidewalks and seats built into the walls for convenient comfort.

MOC Plaza (Municipal Office Complex)
The MOC plaza is located behind the McConico Building and next to the Allen R Baca Center, an area of Round Rock that is largely office and retail. This plaza will create a space for workers to enjoy and relax on breaks and for patrons to use before/after their visits to the surrounding establishments. The MOC Plaza will also provide a place to hold events such as the Juneteenth celebration, music and theater performances, farmers market, etc. Additionally, the plaza could be rented out for family reunions and weddings.

The design plans for the MOC Plaza are 90% completed and awaiting approval. Below is what the plaza should look like when it is completed in Spring of 2012.

Settlement Park
Construction started at Settlement Park on Thursday, July 14. Plans for the park include replacing the playground, trail, and fence and adding a fountain in the pond and a pavilion. This project is funded by the Repair and Replacement Program and Park Development Fund.

Summerset Park
Located near Old Town Meadows and Peach Tree Valley neighborhoods, Summerset Park spans 9.61 acres and includes 0.41 miles of trail, picnic facilities with grills, and a playscape. The playscape looks a little lonely out there, so improvements and additions are in the works.
The plans are 100% completed for Summerset Park and have all been approved. Bidding for the improvements will begin in August.

Buck Egger Park
Near downtown Round Rock, Buck Egger Park has a playscape, swings, and a practice soccer field/football field. The 3.08 acre park is a fun play area for kids throughout the city.

Plans are completed for Buck Egger’s new parking lot and synthetic turf. This project is funded by the commercial Block Grant. Bidding will begin the week of July 25th and construction is scheduled to begin in September.

Triple Crown Complex Restrooms
If you’ve spent much time at the Old Settlers Park baseball fields, you know that the Triple Crown Complex is the only baseball diamond in the park without indoor plumbing. The complex has port-a-cans and there has long been a movement to get them replaced with restrooms. Well, here we go!
Concept designs are complete for the new restrooms at the Triple Crown Complex. Construction will begin soon and the restrooms should be open by the end of the year.

Construction in Old Settlers and Somerset Park

Elysabeth Bean — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:24:00 GMT

Over the next few months, Old Settlers Park and Somerset Park will be seeing some construction going on. Universal Field Systems will be working on the overhead electric lines in these parks. The initial work begins in the next couple weeks with the major construction scheduled to begin in the fall. We will keep you posted as we receive more information about the construction schedule and details.

Courts get re-surfaced

Elysabeth Bean — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 21:31:00 GMT

Parks and Recreation is improving your park facilities. They have recently had the basketball courts at High Country and Veterans Park re-surfaced. Currently, the tennis courts at Old Settlers Parks are being re-surfaced as well and should be finished at the beginning of next week. Then the weekend of the 22 of August the tennis courts at the Clay Madsen Recreation Center will be re-surfaced.

If you get a chance, check out the courts and play on the new, smooth surfaces!

Find Parks and Trails with the new webpage

Elysabeth Bean — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:53:00 GMT

I’ve been trying to work out more, but recently the treadmill has lost its spark. I have found it hard to run in place looking at a wall, so I decided it was time to go out and run one of the trails in Round Rock.

I went to the Greater Lake Creek Trail because it was conveniently located next to the Clay Madsen Recreation Center. (This trail is also going to be part of the 5k for Clay route and I wanted to check it out.) Its a nice scenic trail with lots of shade that goes to A.W. Grimes, by Lake Creek and into Lake Creek Park. I had fun running the trail and it was a great change of pace to my workout. I definitely suggest checking it out.

The City of Round Rock Parks and Recreation also has other parks and trails that you can check out, I know I plan to. Parks and Recreation just created this new webpage that helps find a trail, park or place for an activity quickly. Visit www.roundrocktexas.gov/parksandrec and look under the Parks and Trails tab to find information about the parks and trails.

Lion's Club raises $315 for the Play for All Abilities Park

Elysabeth Bean — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:52:00 GMT

The Lion’s Club hosted their 1st Annual One Hole Washers Tourney at the July 4 Frontier Days Celebration to raise funds for the Play for All Abilities Park. The tournament raised $315 and helped the Lion’s Club make new contacts for future fundraising opportunities for the park.

Thank you Lion’s Club for helping the City of Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department get one step closer to building the park. We look forward to working with you in the future.

Here are this year’s tournament winners:
1st Place was Chris Leschber and Tony Galvan
2nd Place was Roger Vallejo and Eric Pena
3rd Place was Junior Pena and Henry Pena

Look out for the tournament next year!

To get more information about the Play for All Abilities Park visit www.roundrocktexas.gov/playforall.

Kung Fu Panda in the park

Elysabeth Bean — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:34:00 GMT

Kung Fu Panda will be showing at Old Settlers Park on Friday, June 26. The pre-movie activities start at 7:30 pm and the movie starts at dark.

Admission to this family friendly event is free, courtesy of Time Warner Cable. There will be concessions available at the park. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and relax.

For more information about Movies in the Park visit: www.roundrocktexas.gov/parksandrec

July 4 First Annual One Hole Washer Tourney

Elysabeth Bean — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:32:00 GMT

The Round Rock Lions Clubs host the first annual One Hole Washer Tourney on July 4 at 1 pm during the July 4 Frontier Days Celebration at Old Settlers Park. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit Round Rock’s Play for All Abilities Park. $25 per team, $30 on July 4.

For more information about the Play for All Abilities Park visit www.roundrocktexas.gov/playforall. Register today for the Washers Tourney at www.roundrockfrontierdays.com or call Justin Lawhorn at 785-5529.

10 days left until the July 4 Frontier Days Celebration!

Life Scout soars above and beyond for Round Rock in hopes of going Eagle

Elysabeth Bean — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:16:00 GMT

Life Scout, James Hall, organized a community service project where he and other volunteers planted 44 trees in the City of Round Rock’s Bowman Park on Friday, June 5.

Hall is completing the requirements to become an Eagle Scout. One of the requirements is to do a community service project that will benefit an organization other than the Boy Scouts. The community project is a way for the Scout to show leadership. James and his volunteers teamed up with the city's Parks and Recreation department to help serve the community.

Ten Yaupon Pride of Houston, ten Wax Myrtles, six Cedar Elms, five Arizona Cypress, five Live Oak, five Red Oak and three Burr Oak trees were planted to diversify the area and develop the park. The trees will help shade the nature trail and the play ground area, as well as, provide privacy for the homes near the park.

Thanks James and all the other volunteers who came to help. Your service is just one way that Round Rock Parks and Recreation stays beautiful.

Come Rock the Boat!

Crystal Jackson — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:17:00 GMT

You know the saying, “whatever floats your boat?” Well on May 16, the only thing that will be keeping your boat afloat will be cardboard and tape! Get the whole family together because everyone knows the more the merrier, and see if you and the gang can stay afloat on the lake at Old Settlers Park. Last year 16 boats ventured out onto the water and we had a blast watching as some of the crew made it to the other side dry while others had to swim for it! We even posted our cool video showing the fun from last year! Come on out to Old Settlers Park and see if you and your family has what it takes to get from one side of the lake to the other without getting soaked from head to toe! Now that you’ve made plans to be at Old Settlers Park on May 16, the only question left is who’s going to be your crew’s captain?

http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/rocktheboat

New parks map

Terri Waggoner — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:58:00 GMT

The new 2008 parks map is now up and linked off the city's website! www.roundrocktexas.gov/parksandrec and click on parks map. It shows the entire city of Round Rock and opens at 50% but you can zoom in on your part of town and focus in on our trails, parks and future parks all on one easy and convenient map! Check it out!

Last Chance to Splash This Labor Day Weekend

Kristi Morgan — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:10:00 GMT

So school has started and summer officially feels over, BUT Rock' N River and the Parks and Recreation Department want to give you a couple more days of summer fun by re-opening the Aquatics Center for the Labor Day weekend. This is the last chance to enjoy the Rock' N River until next year. The weather should be nice and hot so it will be a perfect way to cool off, relax and enjoy the long weekend!!

Rock' N River will be open Saturday, August 30 through Monday, September 1 from noon - 6 pm. Micki Krebsbach Pool and Lake Creek Pool will remain closed this weekend.

We hope to see you at Rock' N River this weekend. For more information visit www.roundrocktexas.gov/pools or feel free to leave a comment/question below!

People and Parks Fund

Kristi Morgan — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:12:00 GMT

The People and Parks Fund is a giving circle that citizens are able to join. By making a donation to the fund, you automatically become a member of the foundation and are given the opportunity to vote on what park projects you would like enacted. All projects will be submitted by the Parks and Recreation Department and from there, members will vote on which projects they want to see take place. This is a great way to ensure that your money goes right into the parks of Round Rock.

If you want to become a member you must donate before September 30, 2008 to be able to vote on this years' projects.

Donations:
$10 per child
$15 per individual
$30 per family (Donations are being accepted through September 30, 2008)

I am excited for the great things the People and Parks Fund will bring to the City of Round Rock parks and I hope that this interests many readers. If this is something you want to get involved with, visit www.roundrocktexas.gov/peopleandparks.