Construction preparation on phase one improvements to Richard Simpson Park in West Arlington began late last month with the installation of a green wire construction fence and job trailer.

Richard Simpson Park is a 9-acre city park on the shoreline of Lake Arlington. It is one of only two Arlington parks that provide public access to Lake Arlington for recreational usage. The park is named after Richard W. Simpson, a lifetime resident of Arlington who served on the Arlington Police Department's Special Tactical Unit and as Lake Officer for 13 years. Mr. Simpson was known for his tireless work around Lake Arlington and rare ability to be a friend to anyone in need. During his tenure as Lake Officer he received three lifesaving awards for his service to the community.

In 2015, the City Council directed staff to proceed with the design of phase one improvements to Richard Simpson Park. The design plans were completed in June 2017 and presented to City Council for approval in August 2017, sealing a contract with Fort Worth-based Steele & Freeman, Inc.

Click here to view the master plan.

The $3.5 million project, scheduled to be complete by December 2018, aligns with the Arlington City Council priority to Champion Great Neighborhoods. Construction is funded through the 2008 Bond Referendum andArlington Tomorrow Foundation.

The 2008 Bond Election included $1 million to replace the existing Richard Simpson Park lake activity room and office, which was constructed in 1960. This building was used for a variety of rental and recreational activities and due to its location in the 100-year floodplain, physical conditions, and accessibility challenges, options for reinvesting in the structure were very limited. Since the park did not have an existing master plan, the project included site master planning, which included relocation of the lake activity room and office building where it can be elevated from the floodplain. With the park infrastructure being 30-plus years of age, the master plan also provides guidance for any future improvements as the City retires aging assets.

Phase One Improvements Include:

• Development of a new Lake House
• Resurfaced/re-striped parking lot
• New lighting layout in the parking lot
• Concrete walks from the park to the dock
• Landscaping and irrigation around the lake house and parking lot
• New park monument sign
• Automatic gate entry into the parking lot
• Clean up and regrading of the lake shore edge
• Enhanced vehicular circulation for boaters to the dock