More to Come at Bicentennial Park; Phase II Expansion Underway

As the first public park in Southlake, Bicentennial Park has been the site of many baseball games, family picnics and community events. Home to the Community Center, Southlake Tennis Center and beloved Adventure Alley, Bicentennial

Park offers recreational activities for all ages. A multi-year capital improvement project, which began in 2008, is underway at Bicentennial Park to increase capacity, improve access, and bring new amenities to Southlake residents.

In September, the community celebrated the completion of Phase I improvements, which included a redesigned entrance at Southlake Boulevard, a new entrance from Shady Oaks Drive, improvements to Park Boulevard, four new baseball fields, six new tennis courts, a concession/restroom facility, a large pond, trails, landscaping, and much more. In honor of the park’s patriotic name, a flag colonnade lines the Shady Oaks Drive entrance and a new roundabout proudly displays the U.S. flag.

But there is more to come. Plans are already underway for Phase II improvements which will add more baseball fields, new playground, batting cages, concession/restroom facility, satellite parks maintenance facility, parking, trails, landscaping, irrigation and Park Boulevard connection to White Chapel Boulevard, which will allow three entrances into the park.

According to Chris Tribble, director of community services for the City of Southlake, plans are in the concept stage and actual construction will begin in 2013.

“We are currently in the Pre-Design Phase of the project”, Tribble explains, noting the City is working with engineering firm Schrickel, Rollins & Associates, Inc., who completed Phase I. “We are also taking this time to gather community input for the design of the park. We are working with the baseball association to determine its needs to make sure we are building the appropriate age level fields.”

One of the most significant components of Phase II is the new playground, which will replace the 16-year-old Adventure Alley and triple in size. A public meeting was held December 5 to solicit ideas from both parents and children.

“We are proactively seeking input for the playground and other aspects of the park,” says Tribble. “There will be multiple opportunities for people to get involved next year, including SPIN, Park Board and City Council meetings.”

The design progress can be followed on the City’s website at: http://www.cityofsouthlake.com/SouthlakeGovernment/City_Departments/Capital_Improvement_Program/BicentennialPark.htm.