The big picture
A second round of park improvements comes seven years after Garey Park first opened to the public in 2018.
Parks & Recreation Director Kimberly Garrett said Phase 2 improvements include removing second growth cedars throughout the park and constructing:
- Three group cabins
- An amphitheater
- A Jack Garey memorial pavilion
- A skate ranch with a pump track
- Mountain bike trails
- An expanded Play Ranch
- An 18-hole disc golf course
- A retreat pavilion
- An expanded Garey House event center
The park’s land was donated in 2004 by Jack Garey, a local businessman and philanthropist. When Garey passed away in 2022, Garey Park was named a beneficiary in his will, with proceeds of $20 million going toward improvements to the park, according to a news release.
Garey’s will specified the city has five years within his passing to use funding for park development—or by March 2027. Renovations for Phase 2 are set to use all the remaining funds from Jack Garey’s will, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
Park funding is held by the Chisholm Trail Community Foundation, with the city treating the funding like a grant, according to the release. As the city officials pay for expenses, the foundation reimburses the city, Garrett said.
A closer look
Garrett said officials expect to keep the park open throughout construction and close areas temporarily as needed.
Garey House, a popular event space for gatherings and weddings within the park, will be closed for renovations from May 1-Sept. 30. Construction is planned to increase indoor capacity from 125 people to 200 people and enclose an event space near the house, Garrett said.
“Getting that house renovated and back open—because we have rentals picking back up in the fall—is going to be the number one most important thing for us,” Garrett said. “That does generate a lot of revenue for our department and help cover the costs associated with the renovations of the park.”
The planned memorial pavilion will include Garey’s history, allowing park visitors to learn about his life years after his passing, Garrett said.
“His legacy will go on, and he'll be able to be recognized forever,” Garrett said.
