5 minute read
The Glow-Up
Our parks and green spaces are the threads that connect the rich fabric of our City. We are a community that treasures these places. With 28 City parks, there is one within walking distance of every resident. For this reason, the City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department has made it a goal to rehabilitate and improve every City park. This might mean adding benches or planting trees for some, but it means a complete overhaul and redesign for others.
Constructed in 1998, Noble E. Young Park (located off Frankston Highway and Loop 323) is one of the newest parks in the City of Tyler. Residing behind a quiet neighborhood, the Noble E. Young Park quickly became a staple for the community. Because of its popularity and constant use, some areas began to deteriorate, and its remote nature lent itself to loitering and vandalism. Through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and with input from neighbors, the Parks Department replaced the deteriorating pavilion and restrooms, and added a walking trail and sidewalks. An outdoor exercise area with ADA-accessible equipment was also added. Our Parks staff created a bicycle course perfectly designed for new riders through a partnership with the Tyler Bike Club.
After a complete reconstruction, leadership decided that the Park merited a dedicated entrance. The entrance to the Noble was once on Seaton Street, cutting through a neighborhood with the parking lot partially hidden behind a row of houses. The new entrance and parking lot are now off a major arterial road (Towne Park Drive) on the Park’s west side, granting visitors and Emergency Services easy access.
As part of the renovation project, Keep Tyler Beautiful (KTyB) unveiled a vibrant mural at Noble E. Young Park painted by local artist Jamie Robinson, featuring the phrase “Good things happen here.”
Mural at Noble E Young Park
Bicycle park equipment
P.T. Cole Park, a prominent and highly utilized park centrally located off Vine Street, was in much need of attention. In April 2023, the Tyler Parks Department completed a total renovation to revitalize its well-loved but aging features. The Department reinvigorated the Park through an array of upgrades, including playground equipment, a quarter-mile walking trail, a spray ground, a pavilion, two half-courts for basketball, and general restroom and grounds upgrades. The CDBG grant funded this dramatic and comprehensive renovation.
“We are grateful to be able to work with the Neighborhood Services Department to make these projects happen,” said Director of Parks and Recreation Leanne Robinette. “These grants helped us improve community parks to make them a better place the neighbors and their families will enjoy.”
To finalize the project, KTyB invited the community to help paint the restroom mural before the grand opening. Families and neighbors of all ages participated in transforming the facility into an eclectic patchwork of shapes and colors representing our community and following the Park’s theme of exciting geometric shapes.
“We know how much P.T. Cole Park means to the community,” said Keep Tyler Beautiful Community Coordinator Erin Garner. “We wanted to include them in the process, and for them to feel ownership and pride in their neighborhood park.”
Community involvement and input played a significant role in the redesign process of these parks. The improvements aim to provide safe and enjoyable open spaces for neighbors to gather and play.
New playground equipment at P.T. Cole Park
New splashpad at P.T. Cole Park
Murals
Keep Tyler Beautiful (KTyB) has made it a mission to create art in overlooked areas and bring beauty to blight. In 2019, KTyB started a program to transform park bathrooms and storage areas into elaborate works of art. From primary colors to muted and delicate azaleas, each one is themed to match its location. They aim to install at least one beautiful piece of art in each of our 28 City parks.
Public art discourages graffiti, creates positive and creative environments, and allows local artists to display their work. Before these improvements, we had a full-time contractor removing graffiti from these spaces across the City. Through these programs, we have seen the amount of graffiti cut in half, and it can now be managed in-house by a part-time City employee.
These murals have created a great sense of pride within our community. In turn, the areas are cleaner and more inviting. Residents celebrate every new installation and ask for their favorite place to be next. KTyB doesn’t stop at park bathrooms and storage areas. They also organize community cleanup events, as well as promote recycling and waste reduction. Their efforts have led to a significant decrease in litter and illegal dumping.
KTyB’s impact goes beyond the physical transformation. They have brought people together, forging friendships and connections across diverse backgrounds. Their outreach efforts have engaged youth groups and developed environmental awareness programs. Through Keep Tyler Beautiful’s initiatives, Tyler has become a more beautiful, sustainable, and friendly place to live.
Community paints mural at P.T. Cole Park.
