Standpipe Park dedication set for May 16

May 1, 2025

By David Stone

Belton Journal

The dedication of Belton’s newest park — the highly anticipated Standpipe Park — will be Friday, May 16, according to Parks & Recreation Director James Grant.

“Our dedication will be at 10 a.m.,” Grant said. “We have not finalized it yet, but at 4 p.m. our Parks & Recreation Department will be out there hosting a Pop-Up Party in the park with free hot dogs, juice, games and balloon animals for neighborhood kiddos. The party will run until 6 p.m.”

“We wanted to wait until spring for a grand opening so it will be nice and green, and everything will be finished,” he said.

The park will be built around the renovated Belton Standpipe, which will be lit up in color-changing lights.

“It will instantly be a Belton landmark because it will be visible from both I-35 and I-14,” Grant added. “The lights will change according to the season or special events. For example, if the Tigers or UMHB win games, the standpipe will be illuminated in school

colors.”

“In addition to the standpipe, the small community park will have a very nice playground, a restroom, a practice field, a butterfly garden and a quarter-mile walking trail.”

“The park also will have our first-ever hill-side slide,” Grant said. “It’s a slide that starts at the top of the hill near the standpipe and slides down the hill and into our playground. There also will be a pavilion with multiple tables and street parking along three sides.”

Another new park — Freedom Neighborhood Park in Liberty Valley subdivision — also will open in 2025, Grant said.

Here’s a look at other Parks & Recreation activities on the horizon:

Movie in the Park: May 3 and Sept. 20

National Parks & Recreation Month: Various days in July

Soggy Doggy Day: Sept. 6

Family Camp Out: Oct. 17-19

Christmas on the Chisholm Trail: Dec. 5-6

Family Fishin’ & Fun: TBA (2 December dates)