Page 55 - Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

electrical breaker boxes for all the ball fields and to replace all the trash receptacles in City parks.

Establishment of a Community Garden

In summer 2013, the City of Benbrook was approached by several local garden enthusiasts interested in establishing
a Benbrook Community Garden at Dutch Branch Park. These citizens hosted several public meetings to gauge
community interest and formed an informal volunteer group, Benbrook Community Gardens. City staff reviewed
their plans, obtained cost estimates for infrastructure, and submitted a proposal to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
to seek permission to use a portion of the park for this purpose. The Benbrook Community Gardens group received
City Council approval to fund the infrastructure costs. Council also approved a resolution establishing the Benbrook
Community Garden; the resolution outlines the City’s expectations of the Benbrook Community Gardens group.

Community gardens promote the art of gardening; provide an opportunity for residents to grow and harvest their
own produce; encourage the use of native and adaptive plants for a region; educate younger generations; conserve
resources; and provide opportunities for recreation and exercise. Community Gardens are often established on
public lands, and managed, through agreement, by non-profit volunteer organizations. The current Benbrook
Community Gardens group, with approximately twenty members, includes two Tarrant Area Master Gardeners, an
officer of the Waverly Park Garden Club, lifelong gardeners/farmers, a registered dietician, and experts in organic
gardening practices.

The location of Benbrook’s community garden is at Timber Creek Park. The community garden includes thirty-eight
garden plots (4x16), bench and seating areas, a native plant demonstration garden, an herb garden, and a potential
orchard. The estimated cost to acquire the infrastructure for the community garden was approximately $20,000;
cost estimates include supplies/materials and contracting costs for fencing and gates, cinder block garden plots and
storage bins, irrigation, concrete sidewalks, and park benches/tables. Council approved the $20,000 plus an
additional $10,000 for contingencies.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAMS

In January 2017, the Council held public hearings on the use of CDBG funds in the 2017-18 fiscal year. Three projects
were identified. City Staff applied for grant funds through Tarrant County. Benbrook was awarded $177,000 for the
42 CDBG year. These funds are allocated to install street lights on Bellaire Drive. Apartments surround Crosslands
nd
Road and there are currently no street lights on this roadway. The street light design meets the requirements in the
Subdivision Rules and Regulations. The project includes approximately seventeen 250W, 480V lights installed on
CITY OF BENBROOK 2018-19 ANNUAL BUDGET
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