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City park a Lone Star Legacy: Haggard among nine state parks honored
Photos courtesy of Plano Parks and Recreation Department - Haggard Park is the culmination of generations of support and remains a gateway to the city. The park was recently honored as a Lone Star Legacy Park for its ties to the community’s history.
By Kelley Chambers, kchambers@starlocalnews.com
Looking at Haggard Park in downtown Plano today, one would never guess this area was one of the least favorable parts of town before it was officially made a park in 1925.
Prior to that, it had been the site of a grist mill and was in desperate need of some rehabilitation.
Thanks to the desire of those earlier generations to beautify the city along its major railway, Haggard Park was one of only nine Texas parks honored last month as a Lone Star Legacy Park by the Texas Recreation and Parks Society.
In a city known for its parks and trails, Haggard Park has become something of an icon for those who frequent Plano's green areas. Thanks to their support, a lot of people (and bond money) have worked to make Plano's park and trail system what it is today, Chief Park Planner Robin Reeves said.
"Haggard Park still remains a focal point for the downtown Plano area and people have gatherings here throughout the year, from weddings to Christmas tree lightings," Reeves said. "The city has continued to invest in that park over the years and with the expansions and new improvements, we are very honored. We think the park deserves it."
The park has become a part of the city's history and is surrounded by other historically significant landmarks, such as the original Plano high school and the Interurban Railway Museum. Last year alone, 51 weddings and birthday parties were held in the bandstand in the park and more than 11,000 visitors toured the Interurban Railway Museum.
"We sent the application to TRAPS and thanked them for trying to increase awareness of the significance of parks throughout Texas," said Candace Fountoulakis, a data collection technician with the parks and recreation department who dug up as much historical information as possible to include in the application. "We felt Haggard is a model for exactly what they were looking for."
After learning about the park's humble beginnings (for example, in 1921 the Star Courier described the area where the park would be as "ugly land that everyone must see every day as they ride the train or come in or out of Plano,") Fountoulakis said the park's historical significance, along with the cultural heritage of the community, has maintained its importance throughout the years.
What was once considered an eyesore is now a city jewel, she said.
"It's not just a piece of history, it's a current part of the fabric of the neighborhood," Fountoulakis said. "A lot of different groups of people were involved in preserving this park. They really were unhappy with the way it looked around that area. People who gather here now enjoy the look of the place, it's been enhanced and we continue to enhance it."
Other parks honored as a Lone Star Legacy Park were Zilker Park, Austin; Botanic Gardens, Fort Worth; San Gabriel Park, Georgetown; Heritage Park, Grapevine; Landa Park, New Braunfels; Civic League Park, San Angelo; San Pedro Springs Park, San Antonio; and Walnut Spring Park, Seguin.
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