New Improvements Coming to Richard Simpson Park
City Completes Shenandoah Drive Rebuild Project
New Improvements Coming to Richard Simpson Park
The construction fencing is up and big changes are ahead for Richard Simpson Park at Lake Arlington .
The City began voter-approved improvements to the West Arlington park at 6300 W . Arkansas Lane . The Richard Simpson Phase II project , set to be complete by next summer , will bring a new fishing pier , a nature-themed playground and a picnic pavilion near the shore , landscaping and parking lot improvements , and a trail extension that will feature fitness equipment and a scenic lake overlook . Arlington residents approved funding for improvements to this 9-acre park in 2018 .
City Completes Shenandoah Drive Rebuild Project
The Public Works Department is pleased to announce that work to rebuild Shenandoah Drive from East Timberview Lane to Concord Drive and Custer Street from South Collins Street to Shenandoah Drive is complete .
Construction for this project began in August 2023 and was completed in September 2024 .
The purpose of this effort was to rebuild Shenandoah Drive from East Timberview Lane to Concord Drive and Custer Street from South Collins Street to Shenandoah Drive .
The park ’ s extended walking trail will connect visitors to a new fishing pier that will feature a large , covered platform at the end . The new pier will be located north of the existing pier , where resident Tommy Jackson spent a recent morning catching catfish and crappie .
The City will also add two pieces of exercise equipment on the new trail , a new picnic pavilion and a playground designed for ages 2-12 . The playground will include a swing set and equipment that looks like logs to keep with the park ’ s natural setting . The existing picnic pavilion will be removed , and additional parking will be added to accommodate park visitors . Traffic calming features will also be added to the parking lots to improve safety .
Construction on Shenandoah Srive was completed in September 2024 .
The funding for this project was provided by the 2018 Street Bond funds and Water and Sanitary Sewer Renewal funds . This project aligns with the City Council ’ s priorities to Enhance Regional Mobility and Champion Great Neighborhoods and included the following improvements :
• Rebuilding the asphalt roadway to concrete roadway with sidewalk improvements
• Installing new streetlights
• Rebuilding driveways to right of way
• Sanitary sewer and water renewals
Resident Tommy Jackson catching fish from the pier at Richard Simpson Park at Lake Arlington .
Learn more about projects approved by Arlington voters in the 2014 , 2018 , and 2023 Bond Elections under Bond Tracker and projects currently under construction by visiting the Street Tracker web page .
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