The city of Katy is preparing a plan for its parks, trails and recreation system that will consider what residents enjoy about the current system through public input, assessing current and future needs, and setting priorities for near- and long-term action and public investments, according to a survey available on the city’s website.

This plan is being crafted by Kendig Keast Collaborative, a multidisciplinary planning firm based in Sugar Land that is also aiding the city in creating a comprehensive plan for the next 20 years of Katy’s development.

At an open house at the Civic Center on March 23, residents were encouraged to leave written comments on illustrations of the city’s parks to share how they think they could be upgraded.



On an enlarged map of Thomas Park, for example, some feedback to improve the park included adding signage on Avenue D to let people know the park is there, adding larger play equipment with shade, and adding flowers and landscaping.


Another board asked residents what they wished they could have, and suggestions included Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible connections to pavilions and four requests for a skatepark.

According to a timeline shared during a presentation by Janis Burall, senior associate at Kendig Keast, the parks, trails and recreation master plan is slated to be finalized and adopted by the City Council in August.

Input from residents has been collected through public sessions and an online survey that has over 1,100 submissions, said Burall. This survey is available on the city’s website until the end of day March 31.

So far, public input for this plan highlights the themes listed below.

  • Connecting the city’s schools, neighborhoods and parks through a trails system for ease of access

  • Creating more dog parks

  • Transforming sites dedicated to drainage into multipurpose parks

  • Making more sports fields and developing sports- and hobby-focused programs to use these spaces

  • Shaded areas and upgraded amenities at parks

  • More gathering places and events

  • Increased safety measures, such as fences and surveillance systems

  • Nature-focused parks for birds and wildlife

  • Varying playground upgrades, such as splash pads, swings and slides


Context for the parks plan was determined by the housing and business developments underway and in the city’s near future; a drainage priority; public safety and quality of life; and the parks bond that was approved by voters in 2021.


For more information, call 281-391-4840 or visit www.cityofkaty.com/government/city-departments/parks-recreation.