The City of Abilene and Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas are collaborating to create a nature play and educational area for visitors to Kirby Lake Park. Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas recently presented $200,000 to the City of Abilene to create a natural play and education facility in Abilene.
The City of Abilene and Workforce Solutions first discussed the joint project in early June 2017 at which time Kirby Lake Park was selected as an ideal location for this endeavor. Key factors in the selection of this location were the growing interest in promoting natural outdoor activities such as hike and bike trails as well as bird watching venues.
Vista Planning & Design is currently drafting a master plan for a multi- phased project with the natural play area for young children being phase one. This phase will include natural features at the playscape site and a new accessible path through the adja- cent woods with educational signage that leads to a lake inlet ideal for bird watching. The City of Abilene selected Vista Planning & Design, landscape architect and planner, due to their extensive involvement with similar projects.
Future phases of the project plan to include; a canopy walk that al- lows children to experience tree top ecosystems, sand pits where replica dinosaur bones may be discovered, bouldering hillsides, prairie and wildflower restoration, organic walls, and a bird blind for viewing wildlife habitats.
A total of 33 Dyess We Care Team volunteers endured the hot Sun so thousands of people could enjoy Lake Kirby even more, as this will be wheelchair accessible!
