Generations Park at Boys Ranch Project History

January 2023

The Bedford Center YMCA opened its doors on January 2, 2023. A ribbon cutting celebration of the facility was held on Saturday, January 21. Construction fencing was also removed around the playground within Generations Park at Boys Ranch.

July 2022

Construction fencing was removed from the perimeter of the park and the green spaces, walking trails, and restroom building opened to the public.

October 2020

The Bedford City Council approved the construction contract with Steele & Freeman, Inc. and construction began on the park.

September 2020

The Bedford Fire Department used the remaining buildings on the property for training purposes.

August 2020

August 3 - The Boys Ranch Activity Center, Bedford Senior Center, Onstage, Arts Council Northeast building, concessions building, and the Clubhouse for Special Needs Building closed in preparation for asbestos abatement.
August 13 - The asbestos abatement began on the Boys Ranch Activity Center, Bedford Senior Center, Onstage, Arts Council Northeast building, concessions building, and Clubhouse for Special Needs Building, in preparations for construction.
The construction documents reached 100 percent completion and were submitted to the contractor for final pricing.

July 2020

City Council Work Session, July 28, 5:30 p.m. - The virtual meeting featured an update on the building demolition and starting date for the ground breaking of The Center at Generations Park. The agenda can be viewed online.
During July, there was an auction of City property that would not be utilized when the new facilities open.

June 2020

City Council Work Session, June 9, 5:30 p.m. - The virtual meeting featured an update on the Center at Generations Park 100% Design Documents. The agenda can be viewed online.
The gas line along Doug Rivers was relocated to allow for the construction of new ball fields on the northeast corner of the park. All City buildings within the park were already closed due to social distancing, as well as impending construction.

May 2020

City Council Work Session, May 19, 5:30 p.m. - The virtual meeting featured an update on The Center at Generations Park. The agenda can be viewed online.

April 2020

City Council Work Session, April 28, 5:30 p.m. - The virtual meeting was held to to discuss the name of the multi-generational building and park (formerly the Boys Ranch Activity Center at Boys Ranch Park). After a discussion on the choices that were presented, the name "Center at Generations Park" was approved unanimously by all members of the City Council.

March 2020

The March 30 Bedford Community Affairs Commission Meeting was canceled, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

February 2020

City Council Work Session, February 4, 6 p.m. - A public Work Session was held regarding branding for the park, as well as the name and the future Art and Entertainment Center to be built on the Old Bedford School property.
February 10 - Contractors began performing an asbestos inspection and survey for the existing buildings on the Boys Ranch Park property. The survey was required by state and federal law for buildings that are scheduled to be renovated or demolished.
City Council Meeting, February 11, 5:30 p.m. - The in-person meeting included a Work Session item on Boys Ranch Park - Phase Next: 50% Design Development - OWT (Multi-generational Building)
City Council Work Session, February 18, 6 p.m., Bedford City Hall (Building C) - The meeting included a staff presentation and discussion of the potential schedules for the classes and programs held at the Senior Center and Boys Ranch Activity Center that would be impacted by the Boys Ranch Park - Phase Next construction and propose them to be relocated to the Old Bedford School.

January 2020

Parks and Recreation Board Meeting, January 2, 6:30 p.m., Bedford City Hall (Building C) - The regular meeting included a Boys Ranch Park - Phase Next project update.
Bedford Cultural Commission Meeting, January 13, 6:30 p.m., Old Bedford School - The regular meeting included a Boys Ranch Park Phase Next project update.
Bedford Community Affairs Commission Meeting, January 16, 5:30 p.m., Bedford City Hall Conference Room (Building A) - The regular meeting included a Boys Ranch Park Phase Next project update and discussion.
Bedford Beautification Commission Meeting, January 20, 6:30 p.m., City Hall (Building C) - The regular meeting included a Boys Ranch Park Phase Next project update.

December 2019

December 11, 1 p.m., Bedford Senior Center - City staff, the City Managers Office, and City Council members met with Senior Center members to provide an update on the Boys Ranch Park Phase Next project, as well as answer questions or concerns.
December 18, 7 p.m. - Citizens were shown a walk-through video provided by OWT Architects to better understand the progress of the Boys Ranch Park Phase Next project. After plans were reviewed, a discussion was opened up to answer questions and gain information not previously covered.

September 2019

September 5 - The Bedford Boys Ranch Park Phase Next project geotechnical consultant began drilling core samples throughout the Park. These samples were used to determine the future buildings’ foundations and structural supports. The geotechnical samples started on the ballfields, so league play was not interrupted for park patrons.
September 11, 1 p.m. - Senior Staff met with seniors at the Bedford Senior Center to answer questions and discuss the 15% Design Plans for Boys Ranch Park Phase Next. There were over 100 seniors in attendance.
City Council Meeting, September 24 - The City Council approved the designation of 2400 School Lane (Old Bedford School grounds) as municipal park land. In addition, the Council agreed to pursue a plan to create a multi-use arts facility on the Old Bedford School property and set a not-to-exceed amount of $5,500,000 for the design and construction that was approved during the June 20 Special City Council Work Session. This item dedicates a portion of the Old Bedford School site as municipal park land, permitting the expenditure of park bond funds on the project. The City Council also approved the designation of 1308 Harwood Rd. as municipal park land. This property is located adjacent to the Bedford Boys Ranch Park and south of Harwood Road. The acquisition of the property would allow for the expansion of the ballfields and surrounding amenities as part of the Boys Ranch Park - Phase Next project.

Watch the meeting presentation online. View the agenda and meeting documents online.

August 2019

City Council Meeting, August 27, 6 p.m. - The City Council received an update on the Boys Ranch Park – Phase Next: 15% Design and Business Plan. In addition, the Council received a preliminary business plan for the future park and multi-generational recreation center, along with an updated site plan at 15% design. Watch the meeting presentation online. View the agenda online. View the Bedford Boys Ranch - Business Plan presented during the meeting.

Site Plans and 15% Design Schematics

Please note, all designs below are at 15 percent and were not finalized at this stage.

June 2019

City Council Meeting, June 11 - The City Council received a briefing on the Boys Ranch Park - Phase Next site plan, construction phasing, and multi-generational building/aquatics alternatives. The item included discussion and possible action regarding the Site Plan Review of Boys Ranch Park – Phase Next (Park and Multi-Generational Center) including Site Concept Test Fit Options/Construction Phasing; Multi-Generational Building/Aquatics Options; Construction Budget; Draft Operations Assumptions Review; Final Arts and Entertainment Feasibility Report; and Recommendations for Next Steps. Watch the meeting presentation online, View the slides and meeting agenda online.
Special City Council Meeting, June 20, 2:30 p.m. - The special session included a discussion and possible action with respect to Boys Ranch Park - Phase Next and the arts. View the agenda online. As a result of the meeting, the City Council:
- Allocated $5.5 million of the remaining $10 million in Boys Ranch Park - Phase Next bond funds for the design and construction of a visual and performing arts addition to the Old Bedford School. The new space would be available for use and programming by all nonprofits.
- Allocated the remaining $4.5 million of Boys Ranch Park - Phase Next bond funds to the overall park bringing that total to $64.5 million
- Chose to construct the park development in one phase rather than multiple across the different aspects of the development
- Directed staff to find alternative space for ONSTAGE during the park project
- Directed staff to provide as much recreation and senior programming as possible in other venues during the project

March 2019

A presentation of the Prioritized Community Needs for Boys Ranch – Phase Next were presented to City Council. Watch the meeting presentation online and review the presentation slides.

January 2019

Public Meeting, January 31
A total of 16 Stakeholder Meetings and three public meetings were held which included Senior staff, Parks staff, Recreation/Aquatics/IT staff, Maintenance staff, Library staff, Arts/Entertainment stakeholders, Adjacent Homeowner stakeholders, Cultural Commission stakeholders, Arts/music stakeholders, Arts Council stakeholders, Contract Instructors stakeholders, Seniors stakeholders, Leagues stakeholders, School/Civic Groups stakeholders, Heritage stakeholders, Community Affairs Commission stakeholders, the Parks and Beautification Boards, and City Council. A total of 115 people attended the Public Meeting on January 31, 2019.
- Watch the January 31 Meeting Presentation
- Review the Presentation Slides

November 2018

Professional services agreements were approved by the City Council for geotechnical services, landscape architecture, civil engineering, architectural services, related structural/mechanical/electrical and plumbing engineering, aquatic engineering, branding, and other services for the Boys Ranch Park - Phase Next. View the City Council meeting.

August 2018

City staff members short listed the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) teams. This team was a diverse group of City staff from various departments in order to insure the most qualified providers would be selected. References were performed for each professional and their sub-consultants, prior to the interview. An interview selection committee, comprised of individuals from the City Manager’s Office, other staff, and the City Council, interviewed the short-listed teams from each RFQ in August. The decision was unanimous regarding the recommendation of the firms.

July 2018

A total of 23 professional consultant teams submitted Request for Qualifications (RFQs).

May 2018

City Council Meeting, May 8 - A new Concept Plan was presented to the public during the meeting. Upon receipt of comments and consensus of new Boys Ranch Park - Phase Next concept, City Council instructed staff to begin the consultant selection process. View the City Council meeting.

April 2018

The City Council met in a Work Session with City staff to hold a Design Charrette on the Boys Ranch Park - Phase Next site plan to review the bond election Concept Plan. At the meeting, the City Council explored improvements to the bond election site plan to reduce construction time and costs, review the location of facilities, examine constraints, and provide other improvements and amenities within the site plan. A new Concept Plan would then presented to the public at a May 8 City Council meeting. Upon receipt of comments and consensus of Phase Next – Concept B, City Council instructed staff to begin the consultant selection process. View the Agenda.

March 2018

The City Council approved the ordinance to issue $60 million out of the $70 million that was previously authorized for park-related matters for the “City of Bedford, Texas General Obligation Refunding and Improvement Bonds, Series 2018”. The City received the funds in April 2018.

February 2018

The City Council approved securing the services of Cissy Sylo to serve as the Capital Projects Director for the City of Bedford during the Boys Ranch Park - Phase Next improvements. View the Agenda.

November 2017

November 7 Bond Election - Bedford voters approved the issuance of $70 million in General Obligation Bonds to better accommodate the community’s need for park and recreational improvements.

October 2017

The City began holding Boys Ranch Park - Phase Next Public Input Meetings.

September 2017

The City released a video regarding the vision of the Phase Next project. Watch the conceptual flyover video.

August 2017

The City Council approved language and vote to hold the Bond Election scheduled on November 7, 2017, in the amount of $70 million. View the Agenda.

July 2017

The first Public Input survey was released and public input meetings were held. View the July 13 Public Meeting and July 28 Public Meeting online. The presentation during the meetings covered the following:

The goals of Boys Ranch Park - Phase Next
Progress that has been made to date
Discussion on the current facilities, including the age of the buildings and what they are used for
Layout of what is to come next

June 2017

The Feasibility Study was presented by Kimley-Horn. View the Council Agenda online. View the presentation online.

May 2017

The City Council toured bench marked activity and senior centers. In addition, City staff worked with Kimley-Horn and Associates to gather operational data. View the City Council agenda online.

March 2017

The City contracted with Kimley-Horn and Associates (KHA) for updating the Boys Ranch Park Master Plan to include a Comprehensive Feasibility Study and Conceptual Design for a Multi-Generational Community Center (recreation and senior center), renovation/replacement of athletic fields, and conceptual use of re-purposed property. This project has been referred to as "Phase Next" and is estimated to cost $70 million.

2016

The Bedford Parks and Recreation Master Plan was updated.