Parks department proposes Duke Park trail extension, Robinson Park grading grant and revival of fitness trail

A Parks Department representative, identified in the meeting as Baywood, presented updates on three park projects and sought council guidance.

Baywood told the council the department plans to add roughly one-third of a mile of trail at Duke Park near the disc-golf area but is waiting on coordination with the disc-golf group to avoid placing trail segments over tee boxes. The department said it is working with the county and that the project will use about $15,000 worth of county-provided labor and materials as part of an agreement.

Staff also said they submitted a grant application through LTRA for Robinson Park to regrade the slope between the parking lot and pavilion (described as a stair-step grading). The applicant expects to hear results in a couple of weeks and said the department could proceed without the grant if the application is unsuccessful or reapply in the next cycle.

Baywood described a proposal to revive a temporary fitness trail that had been installed in 2020, consisting of a series of temporary signs with exercise instructions and QR-code demonstrations. The memorial group that previously sponsored the signs had left the program, and Baywood said the Parks Department plans to fund a replacement set through private sponsors, estimating the cost at about $1,000–$1,500 and not requesting city funds. Staff said they would plan a January kickoff and are arranging backup signs in case of damage from floods or other events.

Council members asked about sign approvals and branding; Baywood said the department can remove signs for events and would include the department logo plus partner sponsors on the back and possibly a QR code. Baywood also mentioned potential partnerships with local sponsors, including Hill Country Memorial, for promotion and maintenance.

The presentation was informational; no ordinance or formal council action was recorded in the transcript for these items.