HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 09 - Settlers ParkMEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER
MEETING DATE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2026
SUBJECT: APPROVAL FOR SETTLERS PARK PHASE 2 CONSTRUCTION
ENHANCEMENTS
RECOMMENDATION: City Council to consider approval of a construction contract with RLM
EarthCo for Phase II improvements to Settlers Park, associated City -
provided services and amenities, and an ordinance appropriating the
necessary funds.
FUNDING SOURCE: Upon approval of the attached appropriation ordinance, funding for the
project will be available in Tax Increment Financing Zone Number 1 (TIF
#1), including $1,000,000 in grant funding from the Texas Parks & Wildlife
Department.
PROJECT FUNDING
Texas Parks & Wildlife — Local Parks Grant
$750,000.00
Texas Parks & Wildlife — Habitat and Angler Access Grant
$250,000.00
City Funding — TIF #1
$2,412,517.05
TOTAL PROJECT FUNDING
$3,412,517.05
BACKGROUND: Settlers Park is located in the northern section of Grapevine, just west of
SH 26 and north of Bass Pro Court. In 2020, Grapevine Equity dedicated
15.9 acres to the City for park and recreation use. In 2025, the City
acquired an additional 7.3 acres adjacent to Bass Pro Court, providing
permanent access from the roadway.
The combined 23.2-acre park includes a 6.2-acre spring -fed pond
surrounded by mature woodlands, creating a unique natural oasis in the
midst of urban development. The focus of Settlers Park is to provide
outdoor recreational programming and environmental education for all
ages and abilities.
Phase I was completed in 2025 with funding support from the Texas Parks
& Wildlife Department (TPWD) Local Parks Grant Program. Improvements
included an elevated boardwalk, picnic areas, restroom facility, gravel
parking lot, soft -surface trail, sections of concrete trail, and a portion of the
accessible fishing pier.
Phase II builds upon the improvements completed in Phase I and
significantly expands the park's recreational and educational
opportunities. Major improvements include completion of the accessible
fishing pier and construction of a permanent parking facility with
accessible parking spaces, a drop-off area, and an accessible route into
the park. Additional amenities will include:
A four -slip accessible kayak dock and launch area at the north end of the
pond to support programmed classes and recreational activities;
A large pavilion for group instruction and other programmed activities;
An outdoor education and primitive camping area;
Site furniture and interpretive signage;
Site utilities and native landscaping; and
A trail connection to the city-wide trail network along Bass Pro Court.
The total cost of Phase II is $3,412,517.05. The City has secured
$1,000,000 in external grant funding from TPWD, reducing the City's
funding requirement to $2,412,517.05. Funding for the City's portion of the
project is available in Tax Increment Financing Zone Number 1 (TIF #1).
Settlers Park is located within the TIF #1 boundaries and is an approved
TIF project.
PROJECT FUNDING
Texas Parks & Wildlife — Local Parks Grant
$750,000.00
Texas Parks & Wildlife — Habitat and Angler Access Grant
$250,000.00
City Funding — TIF #1
$2,412,517.05
TOTAL PROJECT FUNDING
$3,412,517.05
TPWD is providing $750,000 through the Local Parks Grant Program
funded through the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund and an
additional $250,000 through the Habitat and Angler Access Program.
Together, these grants provide $1,000,000 in external funding toward the
Phase II improvements.
PROJECT COST
RLM EarthCo Construction Contract
$3,222,817.05
City -Provided Services and Amenities
$189,700.00
TOTAL PHASE II PROJECT COST
$3,412,517.05
The $189,700 in City -provided services and amenities includes testing
and inspection services, irrigation, a small kayak dock at the south end of
the pond, a bronze plaque, and an equipment locker.
Bids were taken in accordance with Local Government Code Chapter 252,
Subchapter B, Sections 252.021(a) and 252.041(a). The bid
advertisement was posted in the Fort Worth Star -Telegram on July 9 and
July 16, 2026. The solicitation was issued through the City's eBid system,
with 1,653 invitations distributed. Forty-five vendors viewed and
downloaded the solicitation, and 11 responses were received. The bid was
opened electronically and publicly on July 30, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
Based on evaluations by Purchasing, Parks & Recreation staff, and
Hodgson Douglas Landscape Architects (formerly la terra studio, inc.),
RLM EarthCo was determined to be the lowest responsible responsive
bidder meeting project specifications in accordance with the applicable
provisions of the Texas Local Government Code.
Staff recommends approval.
TK/LW
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-065
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS INCREASING ESTIMATED
RECEIPTS OF $1,000,000 IN THE TAX INCREMENT
FINANCING DISTRICT 1 FUND FROM THE
RECREATION GRANTS NON-URBAN LOCAL PARK
GRANT PROGRAM ($750,000) AND HABITAT AND
ANGLER ACCESS PROGRAM ($250,000); AUTHORIZING
THE APPROPRIATION $3,412,517.05 IN THE TAX
INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT 1 FUND FOR THE
SETTLERS PARK IMPROVMENTS PHASE II PROJECT
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, the City Council of Grapevine desires to develop 23.2 acre Settlers
Park. Project elements include the expansion of the concrete multi-purpose trail, and
boardwalk/fishing pier, construction of an outdoor education/primitive camping area,
kayak launch, pavilion/gathering areas, and installation of native landscaping,
signage, site furniture, trail lighting, necessary site utilities and a permanent parking
facility with ADA parking spaces and accessible route into the park.
WHEREAS, funding for this project has reimbursable portion through the
approved Grant Agreement with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department funded
through the National Park Service under the authority of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund Program and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Habitat
and Angler Access Program; and
WHEREAS, the City's portion of the project will come from the Tax Increment
Financing District 1 Fund; and
WHEREAS, approval of this ordinance will make funds available for the total
Settlers Park Improvements Phase II project in the amount of $3,412,517.05 in the Tax
Increment Financing District 1 Fund; and
WHEREAS, all constitutional and statutory prerequisites for the approval of the
ordinance have been met, including but not limited to the Open Meetings Act; and
WHEREAS, the City Council deems the adoption of this ordinance is in the best
interests of the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS:
Section 1. That all matters stated herein above are true and correct and are
incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety.
Section 2. That the City Council hereby authorizes an increase in estimated
receipts in the amount of $1,000,000 in Tax Increment Financing District 1 Fund
based on approval of the Recreation Grants Non-Urban Local Park Grant Program
($750,000) and approval of the Habitat and Angler Access Program ($250,000).
Section 3. That the City Council authorizes the appropriation of $3,412,517.05 in
Tax Increment Financing District 1 Fund for expenditures associated with the Settlers
Park Phase II project.
Section 4. That this ordinance shall take effect immediately upon passage
by the City Council of the City of Grapevine pending concurrence from the Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department.
Section 5. The fact that the present ordinances and regulations of the City
of Grapevine, Texas are inadequate to properly safeguard the health, safety,
morals, peace and general welfare of the public creates an emergency which
requires that this ordinance become effective from and after the date of its
passage, and it is accordingly so ordained.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS on this 1st day of September 2026.
APPROVED:
William D. Tate
Mayor
ATTEST:
Tara Brooks
City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Matthew C.G. Boyle
City Attorney
Ordinance No. 2026-065 2