The Uplands
Uplands Project Updates
Click Here to view the Presentation by Mend Collaborative
Overview
The Uplands, located along West Texas Highway 290 Service Road/South Lamar Boulevard in north Sunset Valley, is an undeveloped tract of land adjacent to the Sustainable Food Center’s Farmers’ Market. Unlike many other parks in the city, the Uplands does not include floodplains. The site currently features a rustic trail and benches, and its mesquite meadow and upland woodland provide valuable ecosystem services.
Based on the previous assessment, community feedback, and the Ad Hoc Committee, the below elements and amenities were prioritized to enhance the Upland tract:
Possible Enhancements
Relocate the farmers’ market with a loading area.
Install an open-air pavilion for market and event use.
Upgrade trails to ADA standards and improve natural surfaces.
Add bike racks, signage, and maps.
Restore the woodland and meadow areas.
Rezoning Process
February 6, 2024: City Council initiated rezoning of the 1.129-acre "triangle" parcel and 7.654-acre parcel, changing the zoning from GUI (Government, Utility, and Institutional) to P (Parkland).
July 16, 2024: Rezoning to Parkland was approved, aligning with the Parks and Open Space Plan adopted in January 2023.
Next Steps
At the June 3rd City Council meeting, Council made a motion to approve funding in the upcoming fiscal year budget to move forward with construction documents for the Uplands Project. This important step will begin the design and engineering phase for Phase 1 of Uplands Park, which includes the following features:
Custom-designed pavilion structure
Welcome plaza
Designated space for portable toilets
Roundabout and loading zone
Central gathering area with picnic tables
Small nature play area
Parallel parking along MSG Bob Horrigan Trail
Pickleball courts
Shared-use path along Bob Horrigan Trail
Trails east of the gathering space will remain mowed paths only (no decomposed granite)
No trail connection to Highway 290
Inclusion of a D-ring feature in the gathering area for events or tie-downs
This marks a major milestone in the development of Uplands Park, and we look forward to sharing more details as the design process advances.
In the meantime, we still encourage community members to explore the design options and leave comments. Your input will be compiled and shared when the project returns to Council for future consideration. To view the proposed designs, please visit the Documents section of this page, or find the link at the top of this page.
Documents
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The Uplands Schematic Design Presentation April 2025 (21.1 MB) (pdf)
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The Uplands Public Presentation - Feb. 2025.pdf (24.5 MB) (pdf)
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Uplands Categorized Survey Comments 2022.pdf (123 KB) (pdf)
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Uplands final report July 2017.pdf (34.7 MB) (pdf)
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Uplands - Comm Survey Results Booklet May 2017.pdf (1.01 MB) (pdf)
Who's Listening
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Phone 5128919103 Email cmeredith@sunsetvalley.org -
Phone 5128919103 Email dburns@sunsetvalley.org
This plan has several amenities that enhance SV.
1. Placement of the pavilion is excellent use of existing impervious cover. This amenity has potential for multi-use and may become a valuable asset.
2. The pickleball courts are located in a great spot to do will do the least environmental damage and utilize a space near the highway that may be undesirable for other activities.
3. Clever use of rainwater collection since there is no water on the site.
4. Public toilets are much needed so that box has been checked.
Suggestions:
1. Take this project in stages and complete the Pavilion, turnaround and PB courts 1st.
2. There is a lot of decomposed granite (DG) in the plan. Could we make those paths in a later stage and start with mown and mulched trails at first to see how it's working.
3. Similarly, either wait on the crescent shape path or try it with mowing and mulching at first and add the hardscape later if needed. Currently the farmer's market does not need that space every week.
4. Same goes for the playground and picnic space. Let's wait a year or so and see how the space is coming together and utilized before sinking money and materials into those amenities.
5. Lastly, let's wait on the overflow parking until we know it's necessary.
Thank you Mend and Council for your work on this project. I am looking forward to visiting the market and playing PB there soon.
I support the Pavillion plan. It offers the most opportunities for public use, including Art Fest, the Farmer's market, National Night Out, and the city can lease it to others for appropriate uses to produce revenue.
Just like 15 years ago the city still needs a very large multi use covered pavilion for the farmer's market and for public use on other days.