Frisco is finally ready to put shovels in the ground on its long-anticipated Grand Park this April, with a ceremonial kickoff planned for the week of April 13 even as environmental cleanup continues at the former Exide battery-recycling site. The first phase, known as Civic Park, is expected to move into construction after the ceremony, though ongoing contamination removal and funding gaps mean the 1,011-acre project will open in stages. For now, residents still have access to Big Bluestem Trail, which cuts through the largely untouched parkland.
Ceremony set for mid-April
A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for the week of April 13, Play Frisco Director Shannon Coates told the City Council during a Jan. 15 work session, according to Community Impact. City staff say work on the Civic Park district will begin later this year after the event and is expected to feature an amphitheater, a pond large enough for activities such as kayaking, and a network of walking trails. The city is deliberately rolling out the project in phases so finished sections can open to the public while other parts of the site are still being cleaned up or built out.
Park layout and amenities
Grand Park is planned to cover roughly 1,011 acres stretching from the Dallas North Tollway to Lake Lewisville and FM 423, with a master plan that divides the land into districts for Civic Park, Adventure Play, Sports Park, Botanic Gardens and a Nature Area, according to the city’s project overview. The City of Frisco also notes that Big Bluestem Trail, a natural, unpaved 2.2-mile path through the property, is already open and drawing visitors. Officials say the phased strategy is meant to get amenities in front of residents sooner while longer-term remediation and construction continue across the rest of the site.
Cleanup progress at the Exide parcel
At the Jan. 15 work session, Frisco Engineering Services Director Jason Brodigan reported that the former treatment plant on the Exide site has been demolished and contaminated soil from the old north landfill has been removed, and that crews are now installing a containment wall around the former treatment area, according to Community Impact. Brodigan estimated that work on Stewart Creek could begin in about 18 months and would likely take two to three years once underway. Finance Director Derrick Cotten told officials that $25 million was originally placed in a cleanup trust when the city purchased surrounding land, and the city later added $14 million more for a total of $39 million, though he said his office expects that budget to climb after a consultant review.
Funding and oversight
The city has pushed for state assistance to help close the gap. A June 2025 news release from the City of Frisco details a budget move that would allow the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to let Frisco tap up to $24 million from the Hazardous and Solid Waste Remediation Fee Account for the Exide cleanup. The City of Frisco stated that Rep. Jared Patterson helped steer that language into budget talks, building on an earlier $3 million allocation for the project.
What to watch next
With a mid-April groundbreaking penciled in and Civic Park construction slated to start later this year, residents should expect a patchwork of activity at the site for quite a while: open trails now, construction zones coming soon, and creek and soil remediation quietly advancing in the background. Visitors can find details on trails and future park features, including how to reach the Big Bluestem Trailhead, on Visit Frisco’s Grand Park information page. Visit Frisco
Regulatory background
The Exide cleanup stems from a 2012 settlement and subsequent agreements that required remediation and set aside escrowed funds. Earlier reporting shows the property remains under a modified master settlement agreement and TCEQ oversight as the city works through cleanup obligations and looming cost concerns. CBS Texas and city records trace that long, complicated history, which continues to shape how quickly Grand Park can fully come to life.
