Southlake has started a $6.4 million renovation of North Park that will convert three athletic fields to artificial turf and add 152 parking spaces.
Construction began Sept. 21 on what the city calls the final phase of its athletic field turf conversion program. The Southlake City Council approved the construction contract at its Sept. 1 meeting, awarding the work to North Rock Construction & Associates, the same firm that built the Southlake Pickleball Complex. The project is fully funded through the city's Capital Improvements Program, according to the city's project page.
The park, at 200 E. Dove Rd., will stay open during construction, though some areas and portions of the sidewalk loop will be closed.
What's changing
The three fields will get a new turf system with a gravel base, perimeter drainage, blended infill and a shock pad that absorbs impact. New chain-link fencing will surround the fields, with safety netting extending above the north and south ends. The project also includes upgraded lighting, landscaping, sidewalk and ADA accessibility improvements, and tree removal and replacement.
The new parking lot will add 152 spaces, bringing North Park's total to 286. The additional capacity will reduce vehicles parking on grass during high-attendance events and support future tournament use, according to city documents.
Project context
North Park is the last stop in a citywide turf conversion effort that already resurfaced fields at Bob Jones Park and Bicentennial Park. The work is part of the Southlake 2035 Parks, Recreation & Open Space Master Plan, which recommended switching athletic fields from natural grass to artificial turf as a high-impact improvement. A 2024 feasibility study selected North Park for this round, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported in June.
Once complete, all seven of Southlake's partner athletic associations will have access to turf fields. City documents say the upgrade will benefit City Flag Football, Lady Dragon Lacrosse, Dragon Lacrosse and Dragon Youth Football with additional practice space and adequate parking.
David Miller, Southlake's community services director, said the turf fields already installed elsewhere have let teams practice and play shortly after heavy rain.
"The biggest plus has, of course, been the ability to still practice and play games within close proximity of high-impact rain events," Miller told Community Impact.
During construction, affected teams are using other city facilities. Lady Dragon Lacrosse has moved some fall games and practices to the Southlake Sports Complex, and City Flag Football is running programming at Bob Jones Park.
The $6.4 million contract sits within a broader $36.7 million capital improvement plan the council approved in February. A filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation listed the project at $8.2 million; the city's own figure is $6.355 million, suggesting the TDLR estimate may reflect a wider scope.
Completion is expected in early 2027.
