Funded through the Reid Road Municipal Utility District No. 2 and a Texas Parks and Wildlife grant, the Park at Willbern is now open to all community members.

The 1.9-acre park located behind Willbern Elementary features a six-foot wide walking trail that circles the facility, gardens, an outdoor classroom and several educational sites for children.

"What you see out there is actually phase one of the park," said Jonathan Roach, attorney for the MUD. "The school district has asked that at some point in the future the MUD board would be willing to add some additional facilities. I believe the students here at Willbern [Elementary] will be responsible for installing some of those, and I think that will be an awesome project for the kids."

The park, which cost about $125,000 to construct, was paid for in part by the MUD and through the grant, which was one of 10 recipients out of 200 applicants.

Willbern's principal, Carrie Marz, said that although the park took a long time to come to fruition, she is glad to see it open.

"We are so excited about it, and I want to thank everyone for their patience in working with the school and the district and going through the red tape to get the grant," Marz said.