In 2018, the City was deeded a 105 acre tract of land by the Estate of Margaret McDermott and deemed as Eugene McDermott Park. The land is encumbered by a conservation easement with the intent to preserve the open space character for outdoor recreation for the general public. The conservation easement agreement on the land identifies the conservation purposes as protection and conservation of habitats and riparian values, preservation of scenic enjoyment, and assurance of areas available for non-intensive outdoor recreation such as hiking, nature observation, and enjoyment of open space. The specific use of this land by the city has been identified as a landmark trailhead to serve as a destination and access point to the regional Rowlett Trail corridor.

Trailheads are important to the public access to the city trail system. They provide a transition, create unique entryways to the trail system, encourage the use of trails, and provide access to a number of destinations accessible by trail. The Trailhead for Rowlett Creek Trail is a key, high priority gateway to the Rowlett Trail, which is one of the City's four primary greenbelt trails. The Overall Recommendations Phasing Map (pg. 82) in the Trails and Bikeways Master Plan prioritizes the Rowlett Creek Trail and the amenities that serve the trail, the trailhead being the primary amenity. In December of 2019, the Purchasing Division issued a Request for Qualifications for various Professional Services for Parks and Recreation Capital Improvement Projects.  On January 30, 2020, forty-three (43) vendors responded to the RFQ and Valley Quest Design (VQ) was among the firms that were short listed for two categories; Landscape Architectural and Planning.  

VQ will conduct a site analysis that explores opportunities to design a trailhead that tells the history of Allen, the surrounding landscape, Rowlett Creek, and acknowledges the sizeable donation by Mrs. McDermott. As a primary trailhead, a number of amenities are planned, including a 50 space parking lot, seating, shade, site furniture, restroom facilities, vehicular and pedestrian circulation, interpretive signage, and environmental design features such as bio-swales, native planting, and an overlook.  The scope of the design project will adhere to the City of Allen Trails and Bikeway Master Plan and the Conservation Easement Agreement. This contract is strictly for design of the trailhead. The city will construct the trailhead at a later date through a competitive bidding procedure leading to a construction contract.

Funds for this design in the amount of $112,266 are a combination of grant funding awarded by the Collin County Parks Foundation Advisory Board and Allen Community Development Corporation dollars designated for trail projects. Funding provided by Collin County is specified for Eugene McDermott Park/Rowlett Trail projects in the amount of $140,365. Staff has identified the use of $6,000 from this fund for this design contract. Remaining funds will be used for future design and construction of the trail and its connection to the trailhead. These funds cover this design contract of $102,060 and additionally provide for a 10% contingency of $10,206 to establish the project budget.

Funds are available in Parks' CIP Project PR1806, totaling $112,266 as follows:

Staff Recommends that the City Council Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract with CLASP Companies, LLC, (dba) Valley Quest Design, for Design of the Trailhead at the Rowlett Creek Trail along the Eugene McDermott Property in the Amount of $102,060. 

I make a motion to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with CLASP Companies, LLC, (dba) Valley Quest Design for design of the Trailhead at the Rowlett Creek Trail along the Eugene McDermott Property in the amount of $102,060.