As park and recreation professionals, we often undertake projects that aim to transform and enhance the quality of life in communities, especially those that have historically been underserved. A project that I was fortunate to have been a part of is the 10-Minute Walk Campaign visit and study for Lewisville, Texas. This initiative, spearheaded by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) in 2019, was part of a nationwide effort to ensure every resident has access to a high-quality park within a 10-minute walk of their home.

During the 2024 National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Annual Conference, I attended a session that recounted the inspiring story of Lewisville’s journey of addressing park access challenges in an underserved area called “the Triangle.” The session highlighted how the city transformed its approach to community engagement and planning, beginning with a simple statement from residents: “We don’t have a park here.” This moment of clarity sparked a movement to place park access and equity at the forefront of the city’s plans, breaking down barriers and building trust with residents, businesses and organizations in the Triangle.

Hearing how Lewisville leveraged data, mapping and authentic community collaboration to create transformative change reinforced the value of our work through the 10-Minute Walk study. It also underscored the importance of addressing inequities not just in parks and recreation, but in all aspects of city services.

The Vision of the 10-Minute Walk Campaign

The 10-Minute Walk campaign, led by The Trust for Public Land (TPL), NRPA and ULI, is grounded in the belief that parks are essential for healthy, connected, resilient and sustainable communities. In Lewisville, the study focused on addressing gaps in park access, particularly in the Triangle, where residents faced barriers such as busy roadways, a lack of green spaces, and socioeconomic challenges.

The study provided clear, actionable recommendations to increase park access and improve connectivity, particularly for underserved communities. As part of the ULI expert team, I contributed to various recommendations for equitable park development, innovative partnerships, and community engagement.

From Plans to Action

Turning plans into parks requires vision, leadership, and commitment. Lewisville has exemplified all three by translating proposed strategies into tangible results. Two key successes stand out:

Play Lewisville On Wheels

This mobile recreation program was a direct response to the need for accessible recreational opportunities in neighborhoods lacking adequate park access. Launched as a pilot in 2019, the program brought recreational activities directly to multifamily housing complexes and other underserved areas.

One of the program’s key strengths is its ability to remove barriers such as transportation and cost, ensuring that children and families could engage in healthy, active lifestyles regardless of their location. The success of the pilot prompted the city to invest in a dedicated van and part-time staff to make the program a permanent offering.

Beyond recreation, this program fosters community connection by transforming public spaces into vibrant activity hubs. Its flexibility also allows the city to adapt programming to meet the evolving needs of its residents, making it a cornerstone of Lewisville’s equitable approach to parks and recreation.

Glory Park/Parque la Gloria

Glory Park/Parque La Gloria is a transformative project that addresses a longstanding gap in recreational spaces in the Triangle neighborhood and to bring much-needed vitality to the area. The park features walking trails, open green spaces and playgrounds that cater to people of all ages. However, its impact extends beyond physical amenities. Glory Park serves as a gathering place for families and neighbors, fostering social connections and strengthening community bonds.

What makes planning for Glory Park truly remarkable is how it redefined community engagement in Lewisville. The city shifted from traditional surveys and town halls to a more inclusive, on-the-ground approach. By meeting residents “where they are,” the city built trust and gained valuable insights into the community’s desires and needs. This model of engagement has since influenced and improved other infrastructure and service planning efforts across Lewisville.

Progress Toward the Goal

Lewisville has made substantial progress toward its 10-Minute Walk goal. According to TPL, 83 percent of residents now live within a 10-minute walk to a park, up from 77 percent in June 2023 and 60.4 percent in 2019. This progress brings the city remarkably close to its target of ensuring 85% of residents have park access by 2025.

The opening of Glory Park/Parque La Gloria played a significant role in this improvement. Strategically located in the Triangle neighborhood, the park has addressed a critical gap in recreational spaces, providing thousands of residents with convenient access to outdoor amenities.

This achievement is the result of Lewisville's ongoing commitment to community-driven planning, the development of new parks, enhancements to existing spaces, and innovative programs like the mobile recreation unit. By combining strategic investments with authentic community engagement, the city has set a strong example of how to advance equitable park access.

Addressing Challenges in the Triangle

The Triangle area presented unique challenges for achieving the 10-minute walk goal. Bordered by major roadways and dominated by commercial properties, the area lacked safe and accessible connections to parks. Additionally, the population faced socioeconomic disparities, with many residents living in multifamily housing and earning lower incomes compared to the city average.

Our study identified strategies such as:

• Ensuring Authentic Engagement: Partnering with local organizations to engage residents and ensure their voices were central to the planning process.
• Creating Temporary and Pop-up Recreation Opportunities: Bringing staff, play equipment, activities, and programs to park-poor areas through a mobile recreation program.
• Developing a Signature Park: Creating a signature or marquee park can meet community needs and create a sense of place while spurring economic development in the area.
• Improving Connectivity: Developing trails and safe pedestrian crossings to link parks with neighborhoods.

These recommendations underscored the need to prioritize equity and inclusivity in all aspects of park planning and development.

Lessons Learned

Reflecting on the Lewisville 10-Minute Walk study and its outcomes, several key lessons come to mind:

• Community Engagement Drives Success: The success of the mobile recreation program and Glory Park highlights the importance of meeting communities where they are and fostering trust through genuine collaboration.
• Equity Must Be Central: By prioritizing equity, the study addressed historical disparities and created opportunities for all residents to thrive.
• Data and Mapping Are Essential: Tools like mapping and on-the-ground assessments helped identify gaps in park access and informed strategies for improving services.
• Action Follows Vision: Lewisville’s commitment to implementing the study’s recommendations demonstrates the power of leadership and a shared vision for equitable communities.

Gratitude and Reflection

I am both humbled and inspired by the outcomes of the 10-Minute Walk Study and the subsequent work carried out by the city. Hearing Lewisville’s story at the NRPA Annual Conference reinforced the importance of park and recreation professionals. It also served as a reminder that engaging residents in meaningful ways is critical to transformative change.  I am deeply grateful to have played a small role in this effort and to witness the positive changes it has brought to Lewisville.

Moving Forward

The story of Lewisville highlights how thoughtful planning and authentic collaboration can create parks that transform communities. By turning plans into parks, Lewisville has brought recreational opportunities, social connection, and economic vitality to its neighborhoods. As cities across the country strive to create more equitable park systems, the lessons from Lewisville offer valuable insights. Whether through creating new parks, launching innovative programs or fostering partnerships, the work we do has the potential to create and shape healthier, more connected communities.

Special thanks to Stacie Anaya, Jose Marines and Erika Tang with the City of Lewisville for their great session at the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference and their incredible work making life better for Lewisville residents through parks and recreation.

Clement Lau, DPPD, FAICP, was a Departmental Facilities Planner with the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation when he was a part of the ULI Expert Team that visited Lewisville. He is currently a Senior Analyst with the County’s Chief Sustainability Office.