Zooming in
At a Dec. 2 meeting, Sugar Land City Council unanimously agreed to transfer operations and development responsibilities of the 50-acre park to the county. County commissioners followed suit at a Dec. 4 Commissioners Court meeting.
“Duhacsek Park is going to be a great quality of life enhancement for families in our community," Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers said in an email. “When voters approved these bonds, they made clear that quality parks and recreational spaces are a priority. We are delivering on that promise with a great park that will serve residents of all ages for generations to come.”
Though outside city limits at 17034 Old Richmond Road, the city acquired the park through a 2001 donation from Virginia and Walter Duhacsek, according to agenda documents. The park includes a pavilion and a historic house surrounded by pecan trees.
Currently, the park costs Sugar Land 450 hours in staff labor and $55,000 a year to maintain, not including facility improvements, Sugar Land Interim Director of Communications Kimberly Terrell said at a Nov. 4 meeting.
According to agenda documents, Fort Bend County’s voter-approved bond program allocates $9.2 million for improvements at the park, including:
- Amenities such as multipurpose lighted sports fields, parking, trails, dog park, boardwalk, restrooms, signage, landscaping and drainage enhancements
- Preservation of pecan trees and the historic homestead
- County-managed facility rentals, with the city receiving 5% of gross revenue
- County-provided security and policing
As part of the agreement, the county will also contribute $1.1 million through bonds for the design and construction of Gannoway Lake Park.
What’s next
The county must complete a master plan within 12 months with city review and resident input, Terrell said.
Additionally, the county may renew the lease for 25 years by giving the city notice at least 15 months before the end of the initial agreement, according to agenda documents.
