Argyle’s newly formed Parks Board wasted little time getting to work, using its inaugural meeting July 15 to begin shaping the future of the town’s parks, trails and open spaces.
Recently appointed board members received an overview of their responsibilities, discussed existing and future park projects, and outlined priorities that include preserving Argyle’s rural character, expanding recreational opportunities and protecting the Cross Timbers ecosystem.
According to a presentation from town staff, the board will help guide the town’s long-term parks vision, assist with planning efforts and research potential funding opportunities.
“The Cross Timbers is a big part of what makes Argyle special,” Community Development Director Harrison Wicks said. “We want to preserve as much tree canopy as possible.”
One of the board’s first major responsibilities will be developing a new Parks Master Plan that reflects residents’ priorities while maintaining the town’s rural identity.
During the meeting, members reviewed four key park projects: PointBank Wallace Lynch Park, Unity Park, the Argyle Nature Trail and the future Town Center District.
PointBank Wallace Lynch Park
Concept plans are underway for PointBank Wallace Lynch Park, a 1.3-acre site along Hwy 377, just south of PointBank near the former Uncle Mike’s Bistro location.
The meeting marked the board’s first opportunity to provide feedback on the project.
According to Wicks, the property was once home to a trailer park that included a neighborhood park. The town hopes to restore that community gathering space.
The park is named after fourth-generation Argyle resident Wallace Lynch, who died in 2017 after a lifetime of service to the community, according to his obituary
Argyle entered into a 20-year lease agreement with PointBank, which owns the property.
Preliminary plans include playground equipment, wooded seating areas, public art, wayfinding features and pedestrian walkways connecting nearby neighborhoods.
Because the plans have not yet been approved by the Town Council, board members were encouraged to provide input.
Several members said the park could become an ideal spot for birthday parties and children’s activities.
The board also discussed what could happen if PointBank were sold. Town Manager Mike Sims said the town would have an opportunity to match any purchase offer and may have other options to preserve the park.
Argyle Unity Park
Unity Park, located at the southwest corner of Hwy 377 and Crawford Road, will focus on preserving its natural habitat while creating a welcoming space for residents.
Working alongside Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists, the town hopes to protect pollinator habitats while improving park access, adding signage, increasing visibility and enhancing lighting within the town’s lighting standards.
Argyle Nature Trail
Construction is expected to begin by the end of August on the Argyle Nature Trail, located behind Little Joe’s Farmstead and Rapid Med Urgent Care near Hwy 377 and Cook Street.
The trail will connect to the Argyle Marketplace and support the town’s vision for a walkable downtown district.
“It’s a great piece of land that’s preserved,” Wicks said. “Thinking of a trail that can intermingle throughout the trees is something that immediately comes to mind.”
Town staff said surveys have identified native species throughout the property, while invasive plants will be removed as construction moves forward. Volunteers have also helped ensure the trail alignment minimizes impacts to healthy trees.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of December.
Town Center District
The future Town Center District is envisioned as the centerpiece of Argyle’s long-term development plans.
Plans call for a new Town Hall, police facility, restaurant district and a community gathering space anchored by a Main Street that could be closed for parades, festivals and other community events.
The Parks Board will help determine whether the town should purchase an additional five acres for parkland or open space, whether trail systems should be expanded and how the Cross Timbers landscape can be incorporated into the district.
“The charge for the consulting firm is to celebrate the trees, embrace them and make our Main Street seem like a green ribbon by unifying the trees and the shopping areas,” Sims said.
Mayor Ron Schmidt encouraged board members to think big as they begin shaping Argyle’s future.
Recalling a former mayor who often showed a photo of New York City’s Central Park, Schmidt said the image represented the type of vision Argyle should pursue.
“It’s a green spot surrounded by gray — why can’t we be that?” Schmidt said. “Y’all will be the champions of getting us there. We don’t want to lose ourselves in everything else that surrounds us.”
For more information about the Argyle Parks Board, visit the town’s website.
