Standpipe Park opens in Belton

May 22, 2025

By DANIEL MOCTEZUMA

The Belton Journal

Belton Area Chamber of Commerce members cut the ribbon to celebrate the completion of Stand pipe Park, a $1.5 million project supported by Texas Parks and Wildlife and local partners. — BELTON JOURNAL/ DANIEL MOCTEZUMA 

Belton held a dedication ceremony for Standpipe Park on Friday, May 16, celebrating the completion of a $1.5 million public park built around the city’s historic 75-foot-tall water tower.

Mayor David K. Leigh opened the ceremony by reflecting on how the area had gone unnoticed for years and thanking those who helped bring the park to life.

“I think this is going to be very well used,” Leigh said. “I can already imagine families fighting over the grill here.”

Councilmember Daniel Bucher then gave the invocation after reflecting on his time serving on the parks board. He thanked the city workers in yellow vests and called the park a “Beacon of Belton.”

City Manager Sam Listi detailed the standpipe’s history, noting its original purpose as a water tower built in the ear1y 1900s and its architectural uniqueness. He said early grant efforts failed, but the vision of a community park on the site changed everything. He thanked partners including Texas Parks and Wildlife and recognized State Representative Hugh Shine for years of support, unveiling a plaque in Shine’s honor.

“Standpipe Park achieves three important objectives,” Listi said. “It preserves infrastructure over 100 years old, creates a recreational space for new generations, and connects to historic tourism across Belton.”

Landscape architect Tyler Richburg called the project a dream to design and emphasized that it came from community ideas rather than outside plans.

“This is one of those projects that had full community buy-in from the start,” Richburg said. “It wasn’t just about designing a park—it was about helping bring a neighborhood’s vision to life.”

Texas Parks and Wildlife representative Kara Escajeda said investments like this one matter because parks are essential to both physical and mental wellbeing. She praised Belton for making the project a priority and said she looked forward to seeing it used for years to come.

Josh Pearson, chair of the Belton Parks Board, said other cities might have torn the structure down, but Belton had the vision to preserve it. He thanked city leadership for their creativity and responsibility in following through, and he gave special thanks to the public works and parks staff for maintaining projects like this after the ribbon is cut.

James Grant, Director of Parks and Recreation, wrapped up the program by pointing out details of the restroom and playground, noting that the building is solid concrete and can be a safe shelter if a tornado hit.

The $1.5 million project was funded through a grant from Texas Parks and ‘Wildlife and support from local partners. Construction began in late 2024 and was completed in spring 2025.

Standpipe Park includes paved sidewalks, a pavilion, playground, practice field, and lighting atop the tower. The hillside slide is the only one of its kind in Belton.

After serving as part of the city’s water system for over 50 years, the standpipe was retired in 1975 but preserved. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 and became Belton’s first Local Historic Landmark in 2019.