League City wants to take over Walter Hall Park and spend $4 million fixing it up.

Mayor Nick Long presented the proposal to the Galveston County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, Sept. 15, asking the county to transfer stewardship of the 86-acre park to the city. The county currently owns, operates and maintains the park, which sits along Clear Creek and dates to 1929.

The land transfer would come at no cost to League City, Long said, as Community Impact first reported in August. The city would fund improvements through park dedication funds rather than county property tax dollars.

Long said on X that the partnership would let the city make significant improvements to the park while being responsible with taxpayer dollars.

What the money covers

The city's capital plan breaks the work into three phases, according to a presentation to City Council at a July 14 work session.

Phase 1 carries a $1.52 million estimate. It includes baseball field improvements, ADA accessibility upgrades, pickleball court conversions, boardwalk repairs, boat launch improvements and shade structures. Phase 2, estimated at $2.77 million, covers new light poles, soccer field improvements, a disc golf course, pavilion renovations and utility upgrades. A third phase would add an amphitheater and renovate the maintenance shop and the park's air-conditioned pavilion.

Those cost estimates date to 2025. The total multi-phase price tag has not been disclosed.

Operating costs

Running the park would cost the city about $490,861 a year, plus $258,261 in annual personnel costs for a four-person maintenance crew. A one-time equipment purchase of $64,000 would cover a utility vehicle, a maintainer truck and a paint sprayer for athletic fields.

Why the city wants it

The park has aging baseball and soccer facilities, deteriorating boardwalks, outdated electrical systems and restrooms that need renovation, according to the city's presentation. Much of the park sits in the 100-year floodplain, limiting new permanent construction.

Chien Wei, League City's director of parks and cultural services, told City Council at the July 14 work session that the city had "outgrown its current maintenance facilities," as Community Impact reported in its Aug. 4 article. Taking over the park would let the city use its existing storage buildings for equipment.

City stewardship would also fold the park into League City's parks system and open it to programming such as outdoor concerts, a harvest festival and an Easter egg hunt.

Precedent at Lobit Park

Long pointed to the city's earlier takeover of Elva Lobit Park from Galveston County as a model. That transfer was completed through an interlocal agreement, according to the city's website.

Long said freeing the county of Walter Hall Park's operating costs would let those tax dollars go toward law enforcement and other essential county services.

What happens next

The court took no vote Tuesday. County Judge Mark Henry and Commissioners Darrell A. Apffel, Joe Giusti, Hank Dugie and Robin Armstrong heard the presentation. No next meeting date or vote deadline for the proposal has been announced.

Community Impact reported in August that proposed improvements could take three to five years once a transfer timeline is set.