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Receive a presentation from the Parks and Recreation Department on potential new locations for Liberty Plaza.
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REQUESTOR:
Mayor Pro Tem Tina Bennett-Burton
BACKGROUND:
At the November 18, 2025, City Council meeting, staff were requested to provide options for relocating Liberty Plaza from its current location near Rawhide Creek off Denton Drive to another City-owned or park property.
Liberty Plaza serves as an important place of reflection and recognition, honoring veterans' service and sacrifice. As the City continues to invest in community spaces that reflect shared values, the request seeks to elevate Liberty Plaza into a more visible, accessible, and welcoming space for residents, visitors, families, and veterans alike. Relocation provides an opportunity to create a setting that better supports public gatherings, educational opportunities, and quiet remembrance, while ensuring safe access and appropriate parking.
DISCUSSION:
In response to City Council direction, staff evaluated City-owned and park properties to identify locations that would enhance the prominence of Liberty Plaza and expand public access. Key considerations included visibility, pedestrian and vehicular accessibility, parking availability, compatibility with surrounding uses, and the ability to create a dignified, open public space suitable for both informal visits and ceremonial events.
Based on this evaluation, staff have identified three potential locations for consideration:
• Option 1 - Relocation to Rose Garden / Keenan Cemetery
• Option 2 - Relocation to the Historical Park
• Option 3 - Relocation to Farmers Branch Park / The Branch Connection
Each option presents opportunities to create a thoughtfully designed space that honors veterans while integrating into established community destinations. Relocating Liberty Plaza to one of these sites would allow the City to provide a more prominent, publicly accessible memorial with improved visibility, enhanced landscaping, and better visitor accommodation and parking.
The goal of this discussion is to narrow the options to a preferred location. Upon receiving City Council directions, staff would engage a professional landscape architect to develop conceptual designs and preliminary cost estimates. These materials would be brought back to the City Council for further consideration, enabling an informed decision on the final location, design, and long-term vision for Liberty Plaza.
This phased approach ensures that the City honors veterans in a respectful, inclusive, and community-values-aligned manner, while allowing City Council to guide both the design intent and the investment level.
DISTRICT:
Districts 1 and 3
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Site Selection Report
2. Presentation