Government
BY MARK FADDEN
Several improvements are coming to Pilot Knoll Park, located on land leased by the city of High- land Village from the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The improvements include enhanced campground sites, upgrades to the boat ramp area and the addition of 16 cabins. City officials said that by transforming the park into an outdoor destination designed as a staycation option for Highland Village residents and a draw for visitors to the area, these efforts will have numerous benefits for the city. “This is a very unique project,” City Manager Paul Stevens said. “The cabins will produce revenue for other projects on corps property and provide a unique camping experience for our resi- dents and visitors. It will give you the feel of being far away on a vacation but with the convenience of being right here in the Metroplex.” How we got here According to city documents, specific improve- ments to the park include: • Campground / shelter improvements - $375,000 • Replace gatehouse - $400,000 Officials invest $3.25M into Pilot Knoll Park
Pilot Knoll cabin feasibility analysis Cabin revenue is based on 75% occupancy of 14 cabins.
Gross rental revenue
Operating expenditures
Associated Debt Service
Net revenue
$249,986
$242,883
$235,569
$228,037
$220,281
$800K $400K $600K $200K $0
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
SOURCE: CITY OF HIGHLAND VILLAGE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
all city projects, city officials are looking at the best ways to control costs without affecting the quality of the Pilot Knoll Park improvements. Mullens said the cabins and day-use area are under design now, and the projected completion date is spring or early summer 2026. She added the gatehouse construction will likely start sometime in January or February of 2025 and will take approximately four months to complete. Highland Village Mayor Charlotte Wilcox said once the improvements are done, they will make an already great park even better. “Pilot Knoll Park is our hidden gem on the west side of the city,” Wilcox said. “The park is already a popular site for RV camping, boaters and rental of pavilions for gathering with family and friends. The improvements to these existing amenities will benefit and draw more users to the park. Users of the cabins and the park will find it easy to escape to nature while still having needed amenities close by in Highland Village.”
the Metroplex that offer cabins on the shores of Corps lakes. Laurie Mullens, Highland Village director of marketing and communications said the improvements will benefit local businesses as they cater to visitors. “Imagine a getaway enjoying the park and the lake, drive ten minutes and enjoy one of our great restaurants or shopping venues, then return to your one of a kind cabin nestled in the woods for the evening,” Mullens said. While Pilot Knoll Park is already a much-vis- ited amenity, adding cabins will increase park usage. “Our RV sites are at a 70% annual occupancy,” Mullens said. “Preliminary projections for the cabins is 75% annual occupancy rate for 14 cabins with an approximate 3-4 users per cabin.” Looking ahead Mullens said while rising material and con- struction costs over the past several years have been a real concern for not only this project, but
• Boat ramp improvements - $620,000 • Expand camping options - $2.3 million The backstory
Once the improvements are made, Pilot Knoll Park will join the list of a handful of parks across
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FLOWER MOUND - HIGHLAND VILLAGE - ARGYLE EDITION
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