Keller Development Corp. budget focuses on parks, trail improvements

Keller’s upcoming fiscal year starts Oct. 1 and will run through Sept. 30, 2027, according to the city website. Reviewing the 2025-26 fiscal year, Dawson said six projects totaled $2.3 million, headlined by the public water feature at Keller Sports Park.

She noted the $1.1 million project will enhance the entry feature at Keller Sports Park. Though it's not a splash pad, it will be used like one. The project is estimated to be completed in the fourth quarter of this fiscal year. Before the water feature can open, Tarrant County officials will need to inspect it, she said.

Other projects included parking lot D improvements at Keller Sports Park, a trail system expansion, a playground structure at Chase Oaks Activity Node Park, the first phase of the irrigation central control system and equipment replacement.

The irrigation control system will be at Keller Sports Park, Keller Town Hall and Keller Town Center. Dawson said this will assist in water conservation and will reduce staff time required to adjust irrigation times.

By the numbers

The FY 2026-27 capital projects include $1.9 million in work and $100,000 for a full-time employee at Keller Sports Park.

The proposed projects include:

• Playground replacement at Johnson Road Park: $650,000
• Synthetic turf replacement at Keller Sports Park: $520,000
• Trail system expansion: $500,000
• Restroom renovations at Johnson Road Park: $150,000
• Wayfinding signage at Keller Sports Park: $100,000
• Park maintenance equipment replacement: $40,000

Dawson said the playground equipment at Johnson Road Park is 21 years old and the plan for the installation will be in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026-27. The restroom renovation will replace a building that has been in use for 34 years and will be completed on the same timeline as the playground equipment.

The turf replacement is annual funding for Keller Sports Park, which will be the first year of a seven-year funding plan. Dawson said the average turf lasts between 10 and 15 years. She added the trail system expansion was the highest-ranked existing amenity among residents who responded to the city survey.

The outlook

The 2027-28 project totals $2.4 million, with the largest project being the Bates Park restroom replacement in Old Town Keller for $625,000. The following fiscal year, the trail system expansion tops the $1.3 million list at $600,000.

In fiscal year 2029-30, $650,000 for the trail expansion is the largest project for the proposed $1.6 million budget.

“We spent a lot of time on KDC and we do our best to put out a vision for the community and for council to give an idea of what we're envisioning,” Mayor Pro Tem Shannon Dubberly said. “A lot of work has gone into all of this.”