City seeking input on new Mormon Mill Park

So far, about a dozen suggestions have been submitted, though Parks Director Robert Moss said he’s hoping to get more ideas soon. 

MARBLE FALLS — Parks & Recreation Director Robert Moss says he’s hoping for the public’s involvement in deciding the future of a new park taking shape off Mormon Mill Road.

The property, located at Park View and Park Ridge drives, has belonged to the city for several years, though it remained undeveloped until earlier this year.

“It’s designated as a city park property and will be developed as a park,” Moss told The Daily Tribune Monday. “We haven’t got any particular plans as far as what we want to do with it, which is why we’re soliciting suggestions from the public.”

Moss discussed the new park at Monday’s meeting of the city’s Parks & Recreation Commission, where officials also discussed the new Westside Park taking shape on Second Street.

Moss said about a dozen residents — primarily those living near the Park Ridge property — have offered suggestions, though he said he’s hopeful for more ideas.

“The ones we have so far have been across the board,” Moss said. “Some people have suggested we leave it as it is with a few walking trails, all the way up to a fully-developed city park.”

Moss said most of the suggestions share one common thread.

“The only thing that’s been pretty consistent is that most of the folks who have made a suggestion want there to be a minimum of activities that would be disruptive,” he said. “That includes playing fields and anything with bright lights.”

Moss said the city’s Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee will further discuss  the local park system in January, adding he expects that group to offer other suggestions as to how the park will be used.

Also Monday, Parks & Recreation commissioners discussed new playground equipment at Westside Park.

Moss said the city will chose from one of three proposals by Central Texas companies, adding the playground equipment will likely cost about $46,000.

“We are a little short on funding for Westside Park as it is, but we have made some changes in our contract that will get our spending back down,” he said.

The new playground equipment will be installed in Feburary, around the time crews are expected to finish paving a new parking lot there.

In the meantime, anyone with ideas on how to develop Mormon Mill Park is asked to e-mail Moss at pard@ci.marble-falls.tx.us.

chris@thepicayune.com

Photo by Chris Porter