Argyle advances Argyle Nature Trail procurement; town and volunteers stress tree protection

Town staff told the Parks Board that construction plans for the Argyle Nature Trail are complete, bids have been received and town leaders will present the low bid to town council for consideration.

Staff said council approved appropriating a little over $1,000,000 in March 2024 to acquire the 4.61‑acre tract — the slide listed $650,000 from the Parkland Dedication Fund, $300,000 from the Tree Reforestation Fund and $75,000 from the General Fund. Staff said Westwood Engineering completed feasibility and construction plans; bids were solicited and the low base bid (concrete trail) from Northrock was listed on staff slides as $189,488.05. Staff also presented construction alternates (brick pavers and additional plantings) that increased the slide total to $339,826 for the quarter‑mile loop plus connections.

Staff said the town budgeted $250,000 for the Nature Trail this fiscal year and that council will be asked to decide on Aug. 17 whether to award the contract for the base bid or the base bid plus paver alternates.

Master Naturalist Jerry Hamby said the site is “as beautiful and pristine a natural area as you’re going to find in North Texas,” noting two‑thirds of the trees counted were post oaks and urging limited disturbance. Staff said an arborist staked the route and that designers sought to target lower‑value or already‑impacted trees and to avoid higher‑value post oaks; construction specifications call for limited disturbance and hand‑poured concrete in sensitive spots and an arborist will inspect during construction.

Board members asked about drainage and how nearby development (Argyle Marketplace) might affect runoff; staff said a drainage study was completed, debris piles removed and Kimley Horn was asked to ensure downstream runoff is managed during construction.

Staff and volunteers encouraged board members to visit the site before council action; staff noted a small number of trees were removed during initial clearing (mostly low‑value cedars and brush) and that the construction project will include a limited number of replacement plantings to meet tree‑mitigation requirements.