Urbandale Parks & Rec – Walnut Creek Park Landscaping Project

The City of Urbandale’s Parks and Recreation was a 2016 Dallas County Grant Recipient for their Walnut Creek Regional Park Specialized Landscaping Project.

Walnut Creek Regional Park is a 200 acre park located in Dallas County. The park is a natural park surrounded by residential development. The park has a 12 foot wide, one mile long concrete trail running north/south from Meredith Drive to Douglas Avenue.

The intent of the project was to provide an educational component in the park consisting of pods or pockets along the trail corridor. These pods would be frequently mowed and maintained and would be theme oriented with signage explaining the importance of preserving native prairie, forbs, and trees as a sanctuary for wildlife being displaced from residential development.

Each pod will contain the informational signage, plantings related to the signage, and hardscape landscaping for access and complimenting the presentation. 

There are plans to do more prairie management projects in the park that will compliment this project.

City of Clive Parks and Recreation – Pickle Ball Courts

The City of Clive Parks and Recreation was a 2016 Dallas County Grant Recipient for their Wildwood Pickleball Courts.

The project goal was to convert an underused roller hockey rink into four Pickleball courts. Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country, and this facility would provide the most outdoor courts in one location in the metro. The courts were completed September 15th and have been very popular since opening for play.

This past June we had an open house event at the park which featured a Pickleball demonstration and promotion to the neighborhood of the planned improvements. Attendance was very good (100 plus attended), and many people got a chance to play the game for the first time.

People were very excited about the courts and this facility will be a great benefit to the community.

City of DeSoto – Equipment for Food Stand at Ball Park

The City of DeSoto – Public Works Department was a 2016 Dallas County Grant Recipient for equipment for the concession stand at the Little League Baseball field.

A commercial popcorn machine, hot dog cooker/roller machine and commercial crock pot that can be used for various foods were purchased. The equipment completed the concession stands needs and has afforded us the opportunity to serve families in or community and those visiting during baseball season.

Signs are posted that read “Best Popcorn in Dallas County: voted on by DeSoto Public Works Staff‘.

Crews enjoyed their time working at the concession stand all summer and more importantly the families that visited were provided a service that they have not been offered in past years.

We are already looking forward to hearing the infamous quote, “Play Ball” next season!

Art on the Prairie VanKirk Dedication in Perry

“It was a beautiful evening for the dedication of the nine foot tall lighted sculpture placed on the boulevard in Perry. As you may recall, Dallas County Foundation donated funds to Art on the Prairie for this project. “Born of Fire” was dedicated in memory of Progressive Foundry owner Pete VanKirk. The VanKirk family paid tribute to the memories of their father and supporter of the Perry Community.

The Ladies of LaPoste, Jenny Eklund, Mary Rose Nichols and Colleen Ekhoff were instrumental in raising funds, designing and creation of this memorial to the Progressive Foundry. There will be three more similar pieces honoring Railroad, Farmers, and
the Greene/Ahmanson family.

Thank you board members that were able to attend. The Bock Foundation and Dallas County Foundation, plus private donors were treated to hamburgers, hot dogs and brats along with ice cream from a unique vendor truck.

Thank you Jenny, Mary and Colleen for all your hard work.”

–VanKirk family