Two of the most attractive things about Linden’s City Park are its disc golf baskets and its aeration water spouts which are helping keep the retention pond water clean.
Once an area which allowed water to become a swampy habitat,the drainage ditch here now carries water through the park and on to the streams which flow around the park.
No terraced area is any prettier than Linden City Park’s slope which keeps water from draining too quickly. Picnics could be held here as well as games such as disc golf.
This sidewalk is such a pleasure for walkers at Linden’s City Park. It is steep and rugged going up but slippery and fun coming down.
These workout machines along Linden City Park’s walking trail have been used for more than 10 years.They are well-maintained and add to the park’s interesting experience.
This view is looking south from the Kaufman Street bridge toward the Linden City Park. The rock-lined ditch carries the water quickly and opens the area for development. The slope at right, for example, goes up to the senior citizens’ center.
Rainy days in Linden City Park are a pleasure
Linden City Park with its walking areas and retention pond looks its best during rains. The land is both terraced, filled with hills and crossed by walkways, so that it becomes a pleasure to visit, especially on rainy days.
On these days, water flows through the rock-lined ditches which are arched by wooden bridges. Other streams in the park are also rock-lined and carry water quickly off the ground areas.
This is the purpose of the drainage ditches, the terraced land and retention pond.
The park with its drains is a flood recovery project funded by the General Land Office (GLO) of Texas. The purpose of this project was the restoration of infrastructure for communities impacted by the floods of 2016. Such funds were awarded by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Community Development Block Grant Program.
According to Linden City Administrator Lee Elliott the city received an approximate $2 million grant to improve the drainage here. It is this water retention and control which is pleasant to see in the park especially during rains.
The Francis Excavating of Texarkana did the work of building a wall across the lower part of the park and a retention pond in the upper portion to assist in controlling the flow of rain water.
The importance of drainage, Elliott said, is that poor drainage is what destroys streets no matter how much effort is put into street repair.
Linden’s Economic Development Corporation had earlier accomplished the straightening of the channel around the Kaufman Street bridge culvert to convey water away from town more quickly.
Stabilization of the channel’s banks from the Kaufman bridge to the park has also been accomplished.
Still to come are ideas from citizens on how to develop and utilize the park. Picnicking, fishing, flower growing, nature classes and more walking areas are ideas which have been suggested.
One historical fact to appreciate the park’s history is that in the 1930’s Linden’s Civilian Conservation Corps created the native rock lined drainage channels in the park. These channels have been retained for purposes of history.
A future use for the park may be as a site for historical markers to tell of the construction of the county’s courthouse with the strength and talent of slaves who used the water and clay from the drainage channels for the building’s bricks. Linden’s heritage foundation, its development corporation and other leaders are working to create, tell and commend this story of local history.
ABOUT LINDEN CITY PARK
Linden’s City Park opened in June of 2012, as the result of a $707,000 grant from the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife.
Linden citizen Mary Dowd had been asked to write that grant starting in 2009. She had earlier written one from the Texas Department of Transportation that acquired sidewalks near the park and the elementary school.
The park is a natural but developed area of 38 acres. It was formerly an undisturbed area of land with trees said to be some 200 years old. An arborist examined the area and found 138 species of native plants and trees.
The area also had two springs which formed a wetlands area.
The park is interesting because it has a variety of features. It has a two-thirds-mile concrete walking trail along which one may find gardens and exercise stations for those who wish to be more rigorous in their health walks.
The park includes a disc golf course, a volleyball court, covered pavilion and concession stand, a large and colorful playground area with equipment. The park also has restrooms.
Another practical reasons for the park is its use as an outdoor learning center and classroom. The educational portion of the city park is named the Mary Dowd Learning Center in her honor.
Linden’s park and its drainage is an outstanding feature for a small town.