Site work for a mixed-use development in Waco, Texas. Completed plans call for site work for a playground / park / athletic field.

https://www.star-telegram.com/news/state/texas/article312142236.html Waco OKs $3.8M construction contract for China Spring Park The Waco City Council approved a $3.79 million contract Tuesday for development of the city's first park in China Spring. Waco Mayor Jim Holmes said he is excited to bring the park one step closer to reality, and as the former council member for District 5, which includes China Spring, he looks forward to celebrating its completion. The contractor, Millis Development and Construction, is expected to start work next month and wrap up just over a year later. The city bought about 85 acres along Flat Rock Road and Skeet Eason Road in December 2022 for the park, and the construction will cover 50 acres north of Flat Rock Road, while leaving land south of Flat Rock undeveloped. Much of the park land the city bought at 5201 Flat Rock Road lies in either a regulated floodway along streams or their 100-year flood zone, limiting some development options. China Spring area to get Waco city park located near airport (November 2022) WATCH NOW: The Waco City Council heard a presentation about the China Spring city park project from Tom Balk, the assistant city parks director, at its work session during the Nov. 16, 2022 meeting. The park will be the first municipal neighborhood park Waco has built for residents of neighborhoods around China Spring, Waco Director of Strategic Initiatives Tom Balk said by email. "This exciting vision, led by RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture, was shaped with residents over years to prioritize a thoughtful balance of traditional amenities and the natural beauty of the property, for seamless enjoyment by all," Balk said. The first amenities Millis will build will include a picnic pavilion, playground, splash pad, parking and trail connections. It also will demolish a barn on the property. The pavilion will shelter six picnic tables, Balk said. Swings, a shade and other playground structures will be assembled for youngsters ages 2 to 12. The pavilion and the play equipment will all be constructed of materials with color schemes in green and brown that will look like wood and other traditional construction materials for the farming that used to be done in China Spring, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Mark Keeley said. In addition to swings, the playground will also have a climbing tower with a slide, parks staffer Brittany Combs said. Parking will be available for up to 30 vehicles, Balk said. The first half-mile of trails will be paved, with additional access to nearly a mile of nature trails. Farther back in the natural areas of the park will be rustic nature trails, without paved surfaces or other improvements, Balk said. The trails will run along seasonal creeks and some seasonal water features that may hold water for weeks or months. The splash pad will be about 1,200 square feet, Balk said. Splash pads are not typical to neighborhood parks, but park designers included a one because this will be the first municipal park in the area. Also included will be native shade trees and other plantings, Balk said. Other construction bids were submitted by Barsh Construction, of Waco, for $4.03 million; Tegrity Contractors Inc., of Allen, for $4.06 million; Slate Construction, of Houston, for $3.64 million; and the Fain Group, of Fort Worth, for $3.86 million. The council also approved a separate contract for the purchase of $204,000 in playground equipment with Denmark-based Kompan Inc, through a cooperative purchasing program. Parks staffers compared Kompan's quote for the city with what each of the construction bidders said they would charge for similar equipment. Buying from Kompan through an Omnia Partners cooperative purchasing agreement will save the city money over including the equipment in the construction contract. Millis scored the highest on evaluation criteria that included pricing and fees as well as proposed duration, experience with projects of similar size and type, company reputation and experience of the proposed superintendent and project manager. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ **As of August 29, 2025, this project has not yet been awarded. The project is expected to be awarded on September 16, 2025.** The City of Waco is soliciting proposals for the China Spring Park Project, located at 5201 Flat Rock Road in Waco, Texas, focusing on the first phase of development on 50-acres within the total 85-acre site. This initial development will address core park development (pavilion, restroom, splashpad and playground) with both a concrete trail and a soft surface natural trail. This new community park will provide residents with enhanced opportunities for outdoor recreation, fitness, and social connectivity, aligning with the City of Waco's mission to foster vibrant, accessible spaces for all. Question Deadline 07/21/2025 at 5:00 PM CT Online Portal Question Deadline 07/30/2025 at 5:00 PM CT Online Portal