3 parks featuring trails, splash pads now open in these Mansfield neighborhoods

What’s better than a new park opening nearby?

How about three? Well, two new and one renovated, that is, which is what happened April 23 in Mansfield with the opening of Watson Branch and Gertie Barrett Parks and the unveiling of the new-look McClendon West Park.

All three parks are chock-full of new and upgraded amenities.

“We’ve certainly never done two new parks — three ribbon cuttings — on the same day. We’ve had a few years where we opened multiple projects within a few months of each other, but this is a new one,” said Matt Young said, Mansfield director of community services.

The new parks

Watson Branch Park, 1420 Watson Branch Road: This new neighborhood park is nearly 11 acres, most of which includes a paved trail that runs throughout Watson Branch, a neighborhood off FM 157 and Mouser Way. The park includes two playgrounds, a pavilion and picnic tables.

Gertie Barrett Park, 2121 Gertie Barrett Road: This brand-new eight-acre neighborhood park includes two playgrounds, two pavilions, a looped walking trail, natural areas, a restroom and a splash pad.

“I am a mother of three grown kids and 11 grandkids, so I have spent many hours at the park,” said Mansfield city council member Tamera Bounds. “I am very excited to see a park in this area that I can continue to bring my grandkids to.

“We’ve had a vision that promotes family bonding and builds memories. When parents spend quality time outdoors with kids they encourage their kids to open up their lives.”

This park was the highest priority for northwest Mansfield in the 2020 Master Plan, Young said.

McClendon Park West, 799 W. Broad St.: Originally opened in 1985, the park had been closed since June 2022 for major renovations that replaced the unused softball field with two lighted basketball courts. A restroom and splash pad were also added.

The park is named in honor of former community leader McLendon “Mac” Moody, who was the city’s first Black council member, serving three terms from 1981-1990 and then completing another council member’s unfinished term from February 1998 to May 1999. Moody died in 2018.

Mansfield Mayor Michael Evans, the city’s first Black mayor, said: “What a great day this is. We come to this park, there are so many memories. You think about Mac Moody and the kind of man that he was. I believe in eternal life, so the kind of man that he is in the presence of the Lord.

“We rededicate this park in the memory of a great man. Those of you bringing your babies here, just know this is like hallowed ground, a sacred space.”

All three parks will operate on standard neighborhood park hours, daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. The splash pads at Gertie Barrett Park and McClendon Park West will be operate from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, starting with the park opening and through the end of the summer. There is no cost to attend the parks or the splash pads.

Never too many parks

Mansfield now has 23 parks. But then, a city really can’t have too many parks, Young noted.

“Land is precious everywhere, and in increasingly short supply. Preserving as much of it as possible is huge, not just for the parks department but for the entire community,” he said. “Not only are parks nice to look at, they preserve precious natural spaces and have documented physical and mental health benefits, community-building opportunities and positive economic impact.”

And, it seems a popular item folks are wanting more of today are splash pads.

“Aquatics and neighborhood parks were the top two requests in the master plan feedback, so it’s exciting to check both boxes,” Young said. “Our goal of improving access to parks includes ensuring an even distribution of amenities, not just land, so we’re working toward getting a splash pad in every quadrant to serve more Mansfield residents.”

Also, compared to pools, parents have the option to sit and supervise, rather than getting in the pool, a big benefit for those with little ones, Young added.

The addition of Gertie Barrett and Watson Branch expand access residents in northwest Mansfield. Watson Branch is going into a new development and will soon be surrounded by new homes.

“We imagine those prospective residents will be very excited about the great new park down the street,” Young said.