The Arlington City Council approved three Parks and Recreation construction projects at the evening session on Tuesday, December 15, 2015.

These improvements will enhance outdoor recreation for residents in The American Dream City for years to come:

• Unity Arch Plaza Construction - The Arlington City Council approved a construction contract with Raydon, Inc. of Breckenridge, Texas for construction of the plaza for the Unity Arch in the amount of $266,663. The project is part of the the Entertainment District Sculpture Trail and consists of preparing the site/plaza for the Unity Arch Sculpture to be installed. The scope of work includes constructing the sculpture pad and implementing other site work such as earthwork, grading, concrete flatwork and steps, planter beds and lighting. The Entertainment District Sculpture Trail will include 15-20 strategically positioned sculpture sites at Richard Greene Linear Park and Dr. Robert Cluck Linear Park. These sites will provide a variety of display options so that each sculpture tells a unique story. Unity Arch will be completed in 2016.
• Julia Burgen Park Development Construction - The Arlington City Council approved a construction contract with 2L Construction, LLC of Rhome, Texas for Julia Burgen Park Development in the amount of $1,734,689. Funding for these improvements was approved in the 2008 park bond program. Julia Burgen Linear Park is a 67-acre property located in central Arlington along Johnson Creek, starting at Park Row on the southwest end and running to Collins Street on the northeast end. This project includes demolition and removal of abandoned concrete paving/roadways and infrastructure, construction of a gated parking lot with lighting, concrete hike/bike trail, a playground for two age groups (2-5 years old and 5-12 years old), benches, picnic tables, trash receptacles, bicycle racks, water fountain, park monument sign, irrigation system and landscaping. Julia Burgen Park Development will be completed in 2017.
• Bowman Branch Linear Park Trail Design - The Arlington City Council approved a contract with Klotz Associates of Fort Worth for design documents for Bowman Branch Linear Park Trail in the amount of $149,390. Funding for the project is provided from the 2005 park bond program. Bowman Branch Linear Park is a 153.7-acre property located in southeast Arlington. This project will provide a design to extend the existing trail in Webb Community Park approximately 1.4 miles east to New York Avenue. The trail will help connect neighborhoods and also provide safe pedestrian routes to and from schools, including Thelma Jones Elementary School and Timberview High School in southeast Arlington. The new concrete trail will provide a multi-purpose surface for a variety of recreational activities such as walking, jogging, biking, and in-line skating. The project includes a 12 foot-wide concrete trail, three pedestrian bridges over Bowman Branch, retaining walls, benches, and way finding signage.