City awaiting study before park construction
By DAVID LOWE Staff Writer

CITY OF LAMPASAS GRAPHIC Phase-one construction of a sports complex on Farm-to-Market Road 580 may begin next summer, once city officials receive results of state-mandated wildlife studies on the 173-acre property west of town. Initial facilities, highlighted in blue and yellow, include two baseball and soccer fields, picnic areas, a concession/restroom building and "wetlands" with trails.

City officials need to receive results of a wildlife habitat survey before construction can begin on the Farm-to-Market Road 580 West sports complex.

As a condition of the $400,000 matching grant Lampasas received from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, planners must organize construction so it does not disturb natural habitats. The city has requested proposals from environmental engineers, who will determine if landscape architect Dennis Sims needs to modify the layout of the complex to accommodate wildlife.

TPWD officials consider the 173-acre property just west of the city limits a possible habitat for cave bats and horned lizards. An environmental study will indicate whether such animals actually live on the property.

"We're basically taking care of all the red tape that comes with government funds," City Manager Michael Stoldt said. "It could be next summer before you see any construction out there."

The city manager does not expect environmental findings will force the relocation of phase one playing fields or other facilities, however. Potential habitats are located in an open hay field away from proposed construction.

Bumpus Appraisal Service will prepare a formal appraisal of the property to meet TPWD requirements, and Paul Maples is surveying the meets and bounds of designated "wetlands" areas.

City grant writers included a wetlands space in the TPWD grant application, which Stoldt believes helped Lampasas earn points on the department's scoring scale.

"With that designation comes reponsibility," Parks and Recreation Director Monty Blackmon said of submitting an application with a wetlands claim.

Along with formally identifying the wetlands -- which include both an existing pond and another lowlying, marshy area -- city maintenance crews will have to observe a 50-foot buffer with restrictions on mowing around the wetlands, Blackmon said.

Texas Historical Commission archaeologists also need to complete a study of the property. Before beginning construction, Lampasas officials will submit building plans to the commission to ensure facilities meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Although construction may not begin for another year, the city has room to expand services and facili- ties. Phase one calls for two baseball fields -- each 315 feet to center field -- two regulation soccer fields, a picnic shelter, a concession stand/ restroom building, wetlands, playgrounds and walking trails.

City officials will try to obtain Texas Department of Transportation permits for two entrances, which would allow traffic flow in a semi-circle all the way around playing fields.

"The plan provides a whole lot more parking than what's shown in phase one," Stoldt added.

TPWD rules do not allow over- head utility lines inside the sports complex, so city crews will bury electric lines within the park. In addition, planners have proposed extending a 12-inch water line from Fawn Acres to the boundaries of the park and installing an 8-inch line within the park for service in restrooms and concession stands.

Discussion is continuing about how to irrigate fields, but parks and recreation officials hope to use groundwater or surface water from the tank on the property, Blackmon said.

Preliminary drawings also include a future fire station site, which Public Works Director Randy Clark said will improve protection for homes in west Lampasas. Extra service will become particularly important once the 67-home Stone Valley Subdivision opens, he added.

"We have fire hydrants in Fawn Acres, and by extending (service to the sports complex) it will give more regional coverage," Clark said.

Planners also hope the complex can become a regional hub to attract visitors to town once Lampasas obtains TPWD and THC permission to begin construction.