The leaders of Willow Park pride themselves on dreaming big. Chief among those dreams is the growth of King's Gate and numerous amenities designed to enhance life in the community.
Thursday morning, Aug. 15, Mayor Doyle Moss cut the ribbon to signify stepping into that dream, which could also include items such as a restroom - which many have called for - along with multi-use courts, some small pavilions, a grand lawn, natural settings and perhaps even a small disc golf course.
"This has been three years in the making. We're grateful to Kyle Wilks and Wilks Development," Moss said. "We're very excited about our parks."
The park was created in 2021 as part of the Willow Park north development. It is located on King's Gate Road between Meadow Place Drive and the Interstate 20 Service Road near The Shops at Willow Park.
In August of 2023 the Willow Park City Council voted to accept the dedication of the park from Wilks Development to the city and agreed to repay the cost of replatting.
The Weatherford Mountain Bike Club is fundraising for around $16,500 to construct a mountain bike skills area and trail called Trinity Track, which is partly underway. It is suitable for all ages, including children and beginners. When completed, the mountain bike trails in Willow Park will expand to encompass around 70 miles covering around 1,000 acres, said Weatherford Mountain Bike Club President Larry Colvin.
Colvin noted that the ultimate goal is to have a trail system that will include Willow Park, Weatherford, Aledo, Hudson Oaks, Annetta and Annetta North.
"I spent over a year riding around and looking at ariels, getting the topography of the land," he said. "I've met with those people (officials) and shared what we're trying to do, and they're listening."
As for the part of the track that already exists, Colvin told the crowd at the ribbon cutting, "I hope everybody enjoys it and it's the beginning of more things to come."
For those wishing to help with the cause, donations can be made at these locations:
*Willow Park Plains Capital Bank, 100 Crown Pointe Blvd., Suite 102.
*Willow Park City Hall, 120 El Chico Tr.
Checks should be made out to Weatherford Mountain Bike Club.
Shadow Johns, owner of Shadow Trail Designs, is working with Colvin to design the mountain bike trail. He said communities with amenities such as the trail and other possibilities such as those Willow Park is considering are a major plus when it comes to attracting newcomers - and it’s great for those already living there.
“It gets the people out and not in front of the TV,” he said. “Things such as meeting friends there, the camaraderie, doing something in nature, that’s great.”
He then gave an example of the attraction of such amenities, referencing another trail.
“I was riding with a guy at the Parks of Aledo. He bought a lot right on the trail. He bought it because he had a trail next door,” Johns said.
Currently, King's Gate Park has a playground highlighted by a jungle gym and other play equipment, with benches next to the playground. On both sides are small sports fields. There is also a walking trail - not to be confused with the mountain bike trail being built - that goes around the entire park, including lots of green space.
However, an upcoming public survey will help determine the park's growth. The city will be gathering input from the citizens concerning what they want most.
"This park is the biggest endeavor in the parks system for Willow Park," City Manager Bryan Grimes said. "I am out here daily and I can see the asset to the community. You can see it in the smiles of the kids.
"The mountain bike trail only adds to that. Families and kids utilize it, which only enhances the quality of life in Willow Park."
Both Grimes and Moss credited Mayor Pro Tem Lea Young for spearheading the effort to expand the park's amenities. Young was unable to be at the ribbon cutting due to illness.
"This is pretty much the vision of Lea from Day 1," Grimes said. "Lea led the charge. We would not be here without her tenacity and vision - and she didn't staff it out."
Moss, who travels the world, compared Young's vision to what he has seen in other parts of the world.
"I think London is about 50 percent green space," he said. "You can see in these other countries so much green space.
"I love walking. I'm so excited."
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