Agenda Information Sheet
DEPARTMENT: Community Affairs
CM/ACM: Todd Hileman
DATE: April 4, 2017
SUBJECT
Title
Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding any support for the Denton County Historical Park.
Body
BACKGROUND
The Denton County Historical Commission's purpose is to preserve, protect, and promote the history of Denton County. The Commission directs the activities of the Denton County Historical Park, a hub for visitors to grow and learn together. The park is located on Mulberry Street, south of Denton's Historic Square. In 2015, approximately 11,958 people visited the park. In 2016, that number increased to 12,393. The Historical Commission does not track the number of visitors that visit the park when the buildings are closed.
The park regularly hosts community events, including the Community Market, every Saturday beginning in April and ending in November of each year. The mission of the Denton Community Market is to strengthen the Denton community by providing economic opportunities for local artists, businesses, food vendors, and food producers to contribute to the vitality and livability of Denton.
Staff from the County Office of History and Culture, the Denton Community Market, and the City began meeting in December 2016, to develop a plan to improve the quality of experiences for those that attend the Historical Park. The County has a master plan for the Historical Park and would like to share it with the Denton City Council. They are also interested in exploring the interest of the City to assist with the costs of some capital improvements to the Park. These include electrical improvements, the addition of an awning for vendors at the Community Market, and the addition of a fence to surround the park and protect against vandalism. With the improvements to the Park, the experience for visitors will be enhanced and possibly increase tourism for the City of Denton.
Denton County is requesting financi...
Click here for full text