Kyle Parks & Recreation
by KERRY URBANOWICZ
On June 4, at 1:30 p.m., you are invited to be part of Kyle history. On that day and time, Lake Kyle will have a “Ground Breaking” ceremony to start the development of a new park in Kyle.
Lake Kyle is the product of the park master plan called Plum Creek Preserve & Nature Trail. This park system was initiated in the late 1990s with the residential development “explosion” on the east side of Interstate 35 in recently annexed portions of Kyle. Connecting residential communities, schools and neighborhood shopping with trails, parks and open spaces was the goal.
The award-winning Plum Creek Preserve & Nature Trail concept currently has two large community parks on either end with Steeplechase Park on the western edge and Waterleaf Park on the eastern edge. Nearly all the property between these parks along the Plum Creek Watershed has been dedicated or donated to the city for parkland. Grants were also secured to acquire and develop this master planned project. The latest project to be started with grant funding is Lake Kyle.
Lake Kyle, 700 Lehman Road, is currently 119 acres of open space. There is a flood-preventing dam structure detaining a body of water that is nearly 100 foot-acre in size, managed by the Plum Creek Conservation District.
Once phase 1 of the park development is completed later this year, Lake Kyle will be the home of the Kyle Parks and Recreation Department office as it moves out of City Hall. A trail leading to the water’s edge and fishing pier will be the spine for several trails. Phase 1 also includes a covered pavilion, wildflower meadow, picnic tables, amphitheater, wildlife habitat, physical activity area, and wide open spaces to roam.
On June 16, at 6:30 p.m., you are invited to the dedication of Gregg-Clarke Park Sports Complex. Gregg-Clarke Park is not a new park, but something new has happened there. What was once a 6-acre parking lot to watch the fireworks or the Kyle Fair is now a multi-sport complex. The unique arrangement of the fields allows four youth baseball games to play at once, or two soccer games or flag football games, or adult softball game or lacrosse or kickball or many combination of sports.
Also included in this complex is a 1/3-mile walking or jogging trail on “joint-friendly” crushed granite. With ample parking for games and tournaments along with public restrooms and a future concession stand, Gregg-Clarke Park Sports Complex will soon be a destination. A foot bridge crossing the drainage ditch will allow access to the playscape, basketball courts and Kyle Pool.
Both of these new parks are being developed with funds through state and county parks grants programs. More information on the parks can be found at www.kylepard.com.
