Farmers Branch board reviews Mercer, Squire park renderings; residents press to protect trees and limit parking

Staff presented conceptual designs for Mercer Crossing and Squire Park and sought advisory input from the Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on next steps.

Robert, a parks staff member, told the board the Mercer Crossing developer is completing site work and will install trail, utilities and final grades before turning the land over to the city. He said staff envisions phase 1 focused on courts near the lake — “phase 1 to kinda be the area that's got the pickleball and the tennis court on it” — with design completion targeted this year and bidding late this year or early next year. If schedules hold, staff hopes phase 1 will be finished by the end of 2025, but he cautioned timelines depend on engineering and bid results.

Residents and board members raised concerns about parking and preserving mature trees around Squire Park, where conceptual plans include adding a small parking lot. One board member asked whether added parking would “completely change the personality” of the neighborhood park and cautioned against removing significant canopy trees. Staff said those concerns are under active consideration and that alternate parking layouts are being evaluated to avoid tree loss.

The proposed splash element for Squire Park will be a low‑impact misting feature intended for neighborhood use rather than a full aquatics facility, staff said: “it's gonna be something that would fit a neighborhood park setting.” Staff also emphasized that conceptual renderings do not represent final engineering and that the board’s advisory sign‑off will precede any council action or bidding.

Staff reiterated that developers remain responsible under the development agreement for required site improvements, and building permits for homes in the subdivision will not issue until required park and infrastructure items meet city standards. The board asked that staff bring final design drawings back for review once engineering is complete.

Next steps: staff will continue design work, refine parking and tree‑preservation approaches, and return with final drawings for board feedback before the item goes to city council.