News Flash

City News (home)

Posted on: May 28, 2021

Garland Earns Grant Funding to Support Park Improvements

Artist rendering of splashpad area at Watson Park

The City of Garland is awarded a $750,000 non-urban outdoor grant to support significant improvements at Watson Park on Lawler Road. Proposed developments include a soccer field, futsal court, resurfaced basketball court, playground, splash pad, refurbished pavilion, trails, enhanced landscaping, native conservation area, restroom and parking lots.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWC) approved more than $21.6 million in competitive local park grants to help fund projects that will create and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities like nature trails, native gardens, playgrounds, splash pads, dog parks and sports fields at 38 community parks statewide.

The grants, allocated to local government entities, appropriate state and federal funding dedicated for the acquisition and/or development of public recreation areas and facilities in Texas on a 50/50 reimbursement match basis. Once funded, all grant-assisted sites must be dedicated as parkland in perpetuity, properly maintained and open to the public.

Garland applied for the grant to supplement existing bond funds and some Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for Watson Park, which is part of an area identified in the Parks Master Plan as an underserved area. 

“The state funds give us the opportunity to tie the bond-funded elements, such as the splash pad and playground improvements, with the CDBG futsal court and provide improved accessibility in the parking and restroom improvements,” said Andy Hesser, Managing Director of the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Department. “All of these variables together made it a perfect candidate to utilize state and federal funds to supplement local funds to improve our residents’ quality of life. As evidenced by the grant award, this project fulfills not only Garland’s mission, but the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department mission and the federal Land and Water Conversation Fund goals as well.”

Garland voters approved more than $117 million in the 2019 bond election to renovate, construct and improve Parks & Recreation facilities. Learn more about those improvements at BuildGarland.com. Visit the Garland Parks & Recreation website to learn more about the strategic master plans.

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in City News (home)

IMG_1097

Central Library Express Opens Doors

Posted on: April 5, 2023
SOS_2023_social-media-images_360x250

Sounds of Summer Concert Series

Posted on: May 1, 2023
New Public Health Clinic Hours 360x250 2 lines-01

New Public Health Clinic Hours

Posted on: March 28, 2023
Elections 360x250

Early Voting Open for May 6 Election

Posted on: February 23, 2023
Mandy Pippen_Health Director_360x250

Mandy Pippen Named Health Director

Posted on: January 12, 2023
City Logo

City Offices Reopen Friday at 10 a.m.

Posted on: February 2, 2023
Cold Thermometer 360x250

Winter Preparedness

Posted on: January 10, 2023
Toy Drive 360x250

Toy Drives Spread Holiday Cheer

Posted on: December 6, 2022

Cease the Grease this Holiday Season

Posted on: November 17, 2022
TATOA Trophies_360x250

Garland Earns State Video and Parks Awards

Posted on: November 11, 2022
Kitten in Gift 360x250

Surprising the Family with a Pet?

Posted on: November 21, 2022
TATOA Trophies_360x250

Garland Earns State Video Awards

Posted on: November 11, 2022
TRAPS 2022_360x250

Garland Earns State Parks Awards

Posted on: November 11, 2022
Band Together Concert Series_360x250

Band Together Concert Series

Posted on: May 27, 2022
School Zone 360x527

Remember to Observe School Zones

Posted on: August 2, 2022
Juneteenth Celebration_360x250

Garland Celebrates Juneteenth

Posted on: June 28, 2022
Olinger Electric Plant

GP&L Electric Rate Adjustment

Posted on: June 21, 2022
New Directors_360x250

Garland Announces New Directors

Posted on: April 19, 2022
Elections 360x250

May 7 Local Election

Posted on: March 29, 2022
Celebratory Background City Logo 360x250

Spotlight on Garland

Posted on: April 6, 2022
Subscribe to News and Alerts

Subscribe to City News and Alerts

Posted on: February 1, 2022

Stay connected!

Posted on: September 22, 2019

Events at the Nicholson Memorial Library

Posted on: January 18, 2022

How You Can Prepare for Power Outages

Posted on: January 5, 2022
A gathering in Garland's Cypress Cove neighborhood.

Garland Has What Draws People to Texas

Posted on: November 30, 2021

Senior Activity Center Construction

Posted on: November 16, 2021
Officials with the City of Garland and Morrow Renewables cut the ribbon at Hinton Landfill.

Turning Trash to Treasure

Posted on: November 3, 2021
Landmark Museum_Scavenger Hunt Sept-Nov_288x288

Downtown Garland Scavenger Hunt

Posted on: November 3, 2021
Managing Director_Crystal Owens_360x250

Garland Selects New Managing Director

Posted on: October 29, 2021
Growing Garland Monthly Development Update logo

Growing Garland Development Update

Posted on: October 19, 2021
COVID19 - Recovery Resources logo

COVID-19 - Recovery Resources

Posted on: June 1, 2021
Fine Free Announcement 360x250

Garland Library Goes Fine Free

Posted on: September 22, 2021
Team Downtown 360x250

Join Team Downtown

Posted on: August 19, 2021
City of Garland logo

Budget Work Session Moves to Zoom

Posted on: August 13, 2021
Examples of parking violations

Neighborhood Parking Enforcement

Posted on: April 21, 2021
Garland Alert System_360x250

Stay Weather Aware

Posted on: May 18, 2021
Judson Rex, Assistant City Manager

Garland Names New Assistant City Manager

Posted on: November 13, 2020
Garland Alert System_360x250

Emergency Alert Update

Posted on: October 13, 2020
Parklet Program 360x250

Temporary Parklet Program

Posted on: December 22, 2020
Image of house

Rental, Mortgage Assistance Available

Posted on: November 30, 2020
Judson Rex, Assistant City Manager

Garland Names New Assistant City Manager

Posted on: November 13, 2020

COVID-19 - Recovery Resources

Posted on: June 2, 2020
sidewalk repair_360x250

Sidewalk Repair Incentive Program

Posted on: July 14, 2020
DART Street Car 360x250

DART Requests Resident Feedback

Posted on: July 22, 2020
Garland Goodness_360x250_heart

Garland Goodness

Posted on: April 10, 2020

Power Out? Text GP&L!

Posted on: March 18, 2020
Library Logo - Color 360x250

Library to Offer GED and ESL Classes

Posted on: March 5, 2020
Healthcare worker with hand sanitizer

Monitoring Coronavirus

Posted on: March 3, 2020
Garland Neighborhood Awards 2019 - 360x250

2019 Garland Neighborhood Awards

Posted on: November 14, 2019
New Judges 360x250

New Municipal Judges Sworn In

Posted on: January 17, 2020
Compass Meter Logo 360x250

Water Meter Replacement Project Begins

Posted on: October 17, 2019
Brush & Bulky pickup underway

Garland Storm Recovery Continues

Posted on: October 21, 2019