BELTON, Texas (KWTX) – The Belton standpipe has been renovated to prepare it for the new park that will be built around it by the end of 2024.
City officials said the city of Belton has been planning to turn the area around the historic standpipe into a park for a decade. In January, it received a $750,000 grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife to do so. The city had to match the grant amount.
“The plan from the beginning was to rehabilitate the standpipe and then build a park here so people could enjoy the space,” said Paul Romer, Belton’s communications director.
The finished park will include concrete walkways, parking, an open-air pavilion, landscaped plantings, an open play area and standpipe lighting.
“Also, there will be some lights now,” Romer said. “So if UMHB wins a football game, we could light it up purple. If the Belton Tigers win a football game, we could light it up red. But there will be some cool new features like that that will be part of the renovation.”
Romer said he is confident the new park will attract local residents.
“If you build it, they will come,” Romer said. “We really believe it will draw people out of their homes in this area. And it will bring people to this area to see a cool, unique park.”
Romer said the project demonstrates the city of Belton’s commitment to preserving history.
“That’s what this project does. It preserves the historic element and then makes improvements around it that many people can enjoy.”
The city approved the construction of additional playground equipment and restrooms in July, six months after receiving funding to build the park.
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