Flower Mound official are focusing on adding facilities to address community needs, such as more tennis courts at Leonard and Helen Johns Community Park or expanding trails and amenities in western Flower Mound.
Because Highland Village is nearly built out, city officials are focusing on investing and improving current parks, such as Pilot Knoll Park, where up to16 cabins are in the works.
“Parks are part of our unique identity,” HighlandVillage City Manager Paul Stevens said.
The big picture
Stevens said past surveys have shown that parks in Highland Village are popular among residents.
“The parks along with our trail system really does add to [residents’] quality of life,” he said.
Although the city does not have land for additional future parks, officials are prioritizing enhancing existing parks, such as Unity Park, Doubletree Ranch Park and Pilot Knoll Park.
While final plans are still in development, Stevens said the completed Pilot Knoll Park will include up to 16 cabins, trail connections, parking lot upgrades and boat ramp enhancements.
The $4.58 million project is funded through 2021 bond funds and Texas Parks & Wildlife grants.
Pilot Knoll Park was prioritized due to its popularity and potential to generate revenue through cabin rentals. The idea is to create self-sustaining parks, reducing reliance on general funds, Stevens said.
Chuck Jennings, Flower Mound Parks and Recreation director, said the town outlines projects within the parks and trails master plan. The plan usually receives an update every 6 or 7 years.
“We really [want] to make sure that we’re meeting the needs of our community,” Jennings said.
Flower Mound pays for park projects using parkland dedication fees, money paid to the town in lieu of adding park space to new development, and the park development fund, which receives $1,388 per housing lot from developers to pay for building facilities. The town also uses a portion of sales tax collections to update playgrounds and improve and build new parks, Jennings said.
“There was a lot that we wouldn’t have been able to do had we not had that,” Jennings said.
The details
An initial bid for improvements at Pilot Knoll Park was far over budget, Stevens said. This led the city to adopt a construction manager at-risk model, meaning if the project ends up costing more than anticipated, the city will not be held financially responsible.
Final designs are still in progress, with Dean Construction set to help refine cabin designs and obtain competitive bids.
"It’s a huge benefit to have quality parks throughout the city for everybody to get out and enjoy," Highland Village Mayor Charlotte Wilcox said.
Also of note
Argyle has identified a need for more parks, Mayor Ronald Schmidt said, and a big focus is on developing the Argyle Nature Trail, which will connect nearby development.
Council approved $74,650 in June for engineering and design of the 0.4-mile trail project.
Looking ahead
Flower Mound plans to spend the $82 million approved in the May 2025 bond over several years, and update the master plan.
“It’s outdated and we need to get new recommendations, have new priorities [and] hear from the public,” Jennings said.
Stevens said Highland Village plans to expand its trails in the future, collaborating with Flower Mound and Lewisville.
