Tomball Magnolia Potpourri - News
TP&W awards $415,400 to build new Magnolia park
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By TANA ROSS
State Sen. Robert Nichols recently announced the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission awarded $415,400 in matching funds to Magnolia for the development of a new city park.
“Congratulations to the people of Magnolia. Because of the hard work of local leaders, residents will enjoy this park for generations to come,” Nichols said.
Nichols represents 16 counties including the greater part of East Texas and Montgomery County.
The grants were awarded by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission as part of $10 million in statewide grants for city and county parks and $5.3 million to improve trails in state and local parks. The state grants are funded through sales taxes on sporting goods, offshore gas and oil royalties and a tax on gas for recreational vehicles. The grants require a 50 percent match from participants.
Magnolia Mayor Jimmy Thornton said the new park will be a great asset to the city.
“This park is something the people of Magnolia asked for, and our success is something every citizen can be proud of,” he said
Magnolia 4A Economic Development Corp. President Jonny Williams said the grant award ends more than a year of planning.
“I am tickled to death with the grant. We have worked for the past 18 months to get this,” he said.
Magnolia will receive $415,000 for the first phase of construction of its park, which is schedule to begin in January. In addition to assistance with acquiring the land, the grant will be used to develop a two-mile trail system, a detention pond, a pavilion for 400 with restrooms, a concession stand, a fishing pond and pier, walkway, picnic tables, benches and interpretative signing. Future phases will add children’s play equipment, an interactive fountain, basketball and volleyball courts and a soccer field.
The project also is being funding by city sales tax revenues. Last November voters approved the city’s Proposition 2, authorizing sales tax revenues to be spent on a the park and a downtown revitalization project. The proposition was approved with a vote of 108 for and 55 against.
Earlier this year the county approved a 20-acre annex, which will be adjacent to the city’s park. The annex and park property are adjacent to Magnolia Independent School District’s Education Support Center on Nichols Sawmill Road.
The park and related downtown revitalization project is estimated to cost a total of $9.7 million, in five phases. Cost of construction will be shared by the city and Montgomery County, with MISD as a partner. Williams said the city will apply for another project grant in 2009.
Sebesta and Associates of Georgetown served as the city’s grant consultant. Burditt Consultants of Conroe, architects and planners, developed the park/downtown project, which was presented to the public on Oct. 17, 2007.
“Congratulations to the people of Magnolia. Because of the hard work of local leaders, residents will enjoy this park for generations to come,” Nichols said.
Nichols represents 16 counties including the greater part of East Texas and Montgomery County.
The grants were awarded by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission as part of $10 million in statewide grants for city and county parks and $5.3 million to improve trails in state and local parks. The state grants are funded through sales taxes on sporting goods, offshore gas and oil royalties and a tax on gas for recreational vehicles. The grants require a 50 percent match from participants.
Magnolia Mayor Jimmy Thornton said the new park will be a great asset to the city.
“This park is something the people of Magnolia asked for, and our success is something every citizen can be proud of,” he said
Magnolia 4A Economic Development Corp. President Jonny Williams said the grant award ends more than a year of planning.
“I am tickled to death with the grant. We have worked for the past 18 months to get this,” he said.
Magnolia will receive $415,000 for the first phase of construction of its park, which is schedule to begin in January. In addition to assistance with acquiring the land, the grant will be used to develop a two-mile trail system, a detention pond, a pavilion for 400 with restrooms, a concession stand, a fishing pond and pier, walkway, picnic tables, benches and interpretative signing. Future phases will add children’s play equipment, an interactive fountain, basketball and volleyball courts and a soccer field.
The project also is being funding by city sales tax revenues. Last November voters approved the city’s Proposition 2, authorizing sales tax revenues to be spent on a the park and a downtown revitalization project. The proposition was approved with a vote of 108 for and 55 against.
Earlier this year the county approved a 20-acre annex, which will be adjacent to the city’s park. The annex and park property are adjacent to Magnolia Independent School District’s Education Support Center on Nichols Sawmill Road.
The park and related downtown revitalization project is estimated to cost a total of $9.7 million, in five phases. Cost of construction will be shared by the city and Montgomery County, with MISD as a partner. Williams said the city will apply for another project grant in 2009.
Sebesta and Associates of Georgetown served as the city’s grant consultant. Burditt Consultants of Conroe, architects and planners, developed the park/downtown project, which was presented to the public on Oct. 17, 2007.
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