The Southlake City Council quickly approved an amendment to the city's Parks, Recreation & Open Space/Community Facilities Master Plan at the city council meeting on Feb. 20. In May 2017, city staff and the Southlake Parks and Recreation board began to hold work sessions to discuss potential amendments to the Southlake 2030 Parks, Recreation & Open Space/Community Facilities Master Plan. This plan was originally adopted by City Council on March 19, 2013. Since May, the Parks and Recreation board held five additional meetings, and the Southlake City Council held the first hearing on Feb. 6 for the changes the board suggested, which were approved. A complete update of the parks master plan is scheduled to start next fiscal year, which begins in September. Until then, the council said it was important to discuss the proposed amendments to the current plan so that resources can be allocated to their pursuit prior to the adoption of the updated plan in fiscal year 2019. The proposed amendments to the current plan are listed in the Southlake City Council meeting packet and are summarized below:
  • Central Park (Located in front of Central Market) – The recommendations focus on possible amenity and design improvements to make the park more inviting to the public.
  • Liberty Park at Sheltonwood – The recommendations focus on providing additional parking to support the use of the pavilion and adding amenities and trails.
  • Southlake Sports Complex – Staff has recommended this as a possible location for a new skate park.
  • McPherson Park (Town Square) – Recommendations focus on a number of improvements to activate the park, including the reshaping of the pond area, the installation of a promenade and adding additional hardscape and tree plantings.
  • Citywide recommendation – staff has recommended that the council would consider either a skate park owned or operated privately or developed by the city of Southlake.
  • Citywide recommendation – staff added a recommendation to promote dual frontage on retail and restaurant buildings adjacent to city parks.
  • Safety Town – Eliminate the Safety Town project for the Community Facilities recommendation. The Safety Town project created a scaled-down city layout to teach school children about all areas of safety.
  • Southlake Activities Center (Parkwood and FM 1709) – Recommendations focus on the long-term use of the property and the existing structure on the site.