Garland, TX — The City of Garland hosted the highly anticipated Build Garland Day to showcase the latest projects around town, including the Holford Recreation and Aquatic Center, Speegle Green Park, and two new fire stations.
Resident Jason Collard expressed his enthusiasm for the event, sharing, “It was a fantastic day to see Garland move closer to completing the 2019 Bond projects. The addition of two fire stations, and the completion of Holford Recreation and Aquatic Center and Speegle Green Park in Williams Estates, provides the necessary services and amenities our residents have been asking for.”
Garland City Councilmember Jeff Bass, representing District 1, echoed Collard’s sentiments. “Build Garland Day isn’t about photo ops or ribbon cuttings, it’s about showing taxpayers where their money is going. Today, we broke ground on a new Fire Station 7 in my district, reopened the rebuilt Holford Rec Center, and celebrated the transformation of Speegle Park. When the city acquired this small patch of land, we thought about putting a few houses there, but we listened to the community. People told us loud and clear—they wanted a park. So we scrapped the houses and gave them what they asked for: a much-needed green space for families. These projects don’t just happen; they take planning, leadership, and a city that actually follows through. I’m proud of what we’re getting done, and there’s more on the way.”
After the groundbreaking for Fire Station #7, the council moved to the Holford Recreation and Aquatic Center, where the community celebrated the facility’s reopening. Councilmember Carissa Dutton shared her emotional connection to Holford, stating, “Holford raised me. It was the first place I heard someone tell me, ‘I love you,’ from the rec staff. The first time I ever received a hug was also from them. These phenomenal women were my heroes.”
Dutton reminisced about the staff and how some of them were still working at Holford today. “It felt like a family reunion to return for the ribbon-cutting,” she said. She also expressed excitement about the new aquatic center, reflecting on how much it has evolved since her days of teaching swimming there.
The council then moved on to the groundbreaking for Fire Station #1, further expanding the city’s emergency services.
The final stop of the day was at Speegle Green Park, where Councilmember Dutton was joined by Linda Speegle, the widow of Dr. Robert E. Speegle, for whom the park is named. Dutton shared, “A neighbor [Dr. Speegle] who was super excited about the park, passed away a couple of weeks ago, which is why I am such an emotional wreck.”
Dutton elaborated on the significance of Speegle Green Park, noting, “It was previously a retirement center that really needed to be taken down. As the community voiced their needs, especially with the closure of the nearby elementary school, it became clear that we needed a playground. For an older neighborhood, we have a very active community, and the original homeowners are transitioning. This park represents a new beginning for all of us. After much advocacy, the staff found the budget to bring our playground to life.”
Dutton also highlighted the presence of long-time residents at the ceremony. “Miss Bobbie, who is 95 and has lived in her home since it was built, was overjoyed about the park. I arranged for her to be brought to the celebration, and when she arrived, she said it was the event of her life. That moment was incredibly special, especially since the only time she usually gets out is for doctor appointments!”
Bobbie Newcastle has witnessed every transformation of the property—from the Garland Clinic and Hospital to an assisted living home, and now to a neighborhood park. Initially expecting to watch the ribbon-cutting from her window, she was pleasantly surprised when Councilmember Carissa Dutton arranged for Garland firefighters to assist her into a wheelchair and roll her over to the park. Another resident, a 99-year-old woman, made her way to the park on foot from her home on Resistol Road. The neighborhood was buzzing with excitement as the community gathered for the park’s unveiling and other significant ribbon-cutting events that day.
Mayor Scott LeMay shared a poignant story on his Facebook page. As the City Council traveled between sites during Build Garland Day, they made an emergency stop upon noticing a woman lying in an alley on Pleasant Valley Road. Recognizing the urgent situation, commands were given to call 911 as the council members sprang into action.
Mayor LeMay expressed gratitude for the two ladies who joined him in running to help the woman. “Margaret [Councilmember Lucht] checks for a pulse while I determine if she’s breathing. Luckily, she had a pulse and was breathing, and began to regain consciousness,” he recounted. Councilwoman Dutton provided reassurance and helped the woman maintain her clothing, ensuring her dignity during a difficult moment. The council members worked to keep her calm until trained help arrived.
LeMay noted, “All of this is to say thank you to these incredible public servants who ran towards an unknown problem with me. Margaret mentioned afterwards that Jerry G. Click would be proud of us for using the first response training he’s given us. We didn’t need to administer CPR or anything like that, but we were ready.”
Build Garland Day stands as a testament to the city’s evolution, laying the groundwork for a vibrant future for all Garland residents.
