City officials attended a groundbreaking at the new 56-acre Legacy Prairie Park on May 12, Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris and Councilmember Gina Hicks reported in May 12 posts on Facebook. Along with Harris and Hicks, Mayor Dusty Thiele and incoming Ward B Councilmember Michael Meihls were present at the ceremony.

The space is located at Ave D/ Katy Hockley by the water tower and behind Faldyn Elementary and Katy Court on Clay Road, Hicks said in her post.

Crews will begin working on a 4.5-mile trail in mid-May, Hicks’ post said. “In just over a year we will see major work completed with a natural functioning park near Heritage Park West, connecting trails from residential neighborhoods without bus service to elementary and junior high schools, and educational areas for the schools to take the classroom outside,” she said.

The new park will include a playground, walking trails, and natural areas’ 125 new trees will be planted and detention ponds will be built, Harris said in his post. Photos in Harris’ post showed that the park is also slated to have a butterfly garden, shaded seating, a root view wall, tunnel and slides and spinning play, and other features.

The project is a shared development between Parkside Capital (Katy Courts neighborhood), Katy West MUD District, City of Katy and Heritage Park West HOA, Harris said in his post. ”Special Thanks to Heritage Park West HOA Board and Michael Meihls for getting land deeded for the playground park space,,” Harris said.

“Over the past eight years, over 100 acres of public greenspace has been added in the city thru the city and MUDs,” Harris said in his post. “It’s been a worthwhile effort.”