Cleburne Times Review
Though, truth be told, several former pooches inspired the park’s name and idea.
“We got into the habit of calling it the dog park,” said Max Robertson, Cleburne Parks and Recreation director. “But it’s not going to be a place for people to walk their dogs. It will strictly be for people.”
The park, located at West Henderson Street and Colonial Drive, officially opened last week and the home occupying the property is now available for rental, Robertson said. The park, free to the public, is open seven days a week.
The park grew out of a gift of the land, the house and $450,000 bequeathed to Cleburne by M. Frank Scott. Scott’s main stipulations for granting the gift were that it be used as a park and be named Winston Patrick McGregor Park in honor of Scott’s dogs.
“Actually, that was apparently the name of every dog he ever had,” Robertson said.
City leaders envision the 10-acre property as a mix of park, botanic garden, learning center, event destination and escape. Although now open, the park remains far from finished. Probably, it will never be finished, officials say.
“It’s going to be an ever-evolving, always-changing project over the years,” Robertson said.
Additional projects will be carried out in stages stretching into the future, he said.
“A garden is always evolving as time changes,” said Grace Clanton, Cleburne horticulturist. “As the trees and plants mature, you have to plan and design around that.”
Clanton points toward a recently installed pergola situated at the intersection of two walking paths. The structure, presently bare, will in time become covered in roses.
Clanton said she’d like to one day see a tunnel of rose-covered arbors along the path leading to the park’s gazebo, something that would compliment the outdoor weddings sure to be held at McGregor Park in years to come.
Another project includes a living fence, Clanton said, a wall of trees along the park’s perimeter to block the sights and sounds of city activity. Additional plans call for more pathways, a waterfall and babbling brook feeding into the park’s pond, gardens for meditation, butterflies, hummingbirds, wild flowers, native grasses and other amenities.
“There’s just so much opportunity here for us to take advantage of,” Clanton said.
Clanton foresees the gazebo fronting the great lawn as the site of concerts, weddings, possibly plays and other events. Scott’s restored home is also available for weddings, meetings and other occasions.
Officials stress the educational and community activity aspects of McGregor Park. Educational opportunities abound for students and residents, Clanton said. The Johnson County Master Gardeners and other area civic organizations are expected to play a role in the park’s evolution, she said.
Trial gardens represent one such project both educational and of benefit to the community, Clanton said.
The plan involves planting perennials and other plants in an earth-kind manner, meaning in a manner involving very little preparation or care, and grading them over a three-year period to see how they perform.
“We’ll look at their structure, how well they blossom, if they get heat or frost damage and other factors,” Clanton said.
Such studies will determine what plants thrive best in the area, which should also give residents ideas about what to plant in their gardens.
With Scott’s donated funds having been exhausted on renovation, the city is seeking donations to fund future construction and fixtures.
To make a donation, or for information on renting the Scott home, call 817-645-0949.