Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.
Parks & Trails
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Yes. The City of Mesquite has several handicap accessible playgrounds located throughout the city. One of the playgrounds that is specifically designed for total access by wheelchair patrons is the Discovery Playground at City Lake Park. The KidsQuest playground also has areas that are accessible for wheelchair patrons.Parks & Trails
Other city handicap accessible playgrounds with wheelchair transfer stations are located at:- Blackwood
- Brandy Station
- Florence
- Galloway
- Hanby
- Lawrence
- McWhorter
- Motley
- Range
- Rugel
- Rutherford
- Seabourn
- Shands
- Tosch
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Most of the drinking fountains on the various parks do not have plumbing parts that are freeze proof. Therefore, to guard against pipes and fixtures bursting in freezing weather, the Park Services staff winterizes (drains the lines and shuts off the water source) from approximately December 1 through March 15 each year. The newer freeze proof fountains are left on throughout the year regardless of the weather.Parks & Trails
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The Parks and Recreation Department has twenty-three (23) Hike and Bike Trails located throughout the City. The present list includes the following locations and distances:Parks & Trails
- Austin School-Park: 0.13 mile
- Beasley School-Park: 0.49 mile
- Blackwood Park: 0.66 mile
- Brandy Station Park: 0.54 mile
- Bruton Park: 0.34 mile
- Cannaday School-Park: 0.29 mile
- Cayman Estates: 0.55 mile
- City Lake Park: 0.48 mile
- Clay Mathis Greenbelt Park: 0.25 mile
- Debusk / KidsQuest Park: 1.76 miles
- Gentry School-Park: 0.50 mile
- Hodges Park: 0.11mile
- McWhorter School-Park: 0.31 mile
- Palos Verdes: 0.58 mile
- Paschall Park: 0.38 mile
- Pirrung School-Park: 0.25 mile
- Porter Park: 0.24 mile
- Town East Park: 1.20 miles
- Travis Williams Athletic Complex: 0.44 mile
- Valley Creek Park: 1.22 mile
- Westlake Park: 0.18 mile
- Westover Extension: 0.93 mile
- Westover Greenbelt Park: 0.16 mile
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There are five ponds / lakes throughout the city. All of the ponds / lakes are typically stocked with various game fish such as crappie, black bass, perch, and catfish. The ponds / lakes are located at Palos Verdes Park, Beasley School-Park, City Lake Park, Valley Creek Park, Bruton Park, Rorie Galloway Day Camp, and Wildflower Park. The only catch and release site is at the Rorie Galloway Day Camp.Parks & Trails
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No. It is against the law as set forth by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. Violators should be reported to the Parks and Recreation Department at 972-216-8192 for appropriate action to be taken.Parks & Trails
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Yes. There are fishing piers at City Lake, Valley Creek, and Palos Verdes Parks.Parks & Trails
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Yes and no. If a fisherman is under the age of 17, or was born before September 1, 1930, you do not have to have a license to fish. All others must possess a proper fishing license or be subject to a fine by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.Parks & Trails
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The coloring agent, which is blue-green in color and non-chemical based, is put into the pond / lake to help deter the formation of algae. The coloring agent helps deflect the sunlight, which is instrumental in helping algae grow. The dye also helps keep the water clear.Parks & Trails
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No. Boats cannot be put into any of the city’s ponds or lakes. Only authorized personnel are allowed to put a boat into the ponds / lakes from time-to-time to remove debris or work on the aerators that cannot be reached from the shore.Parks & Trails
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Residents can contact the Parks and Recreation Department with information regarding dead animals, but removal and disposal of the animals is taken care of by staff from the Animal Control Division.Parks & Trails
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No. The Parks and Recreation Department had the Free Tree Program for many years, whereby tree seedlings were given to nonprofit organizations for their use to sell for fund-raisers. Over the years the demand for these tree seedlings declined and this program is no longer available.Parks & Trails
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The Park Services staff will chemically treat Poison Ivy / Poison Oak only in developed parks or designated usage areas. Poison Ivy / Poison Oak will not be sprayed in the flood plain, greenbelts or any other undeveloped city-owned properties.Parks & Trails
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The Parks and Recreation Department treats the above referenced properties as nature areas, and fallen trees and logs are left in place for wildlife habitat or refuge. If a hazardous tree is on the outer edge of a wooded area, near areas where children play, the tree would be cut down to lessen the safety risk, but the tree would remain for wildlife habitat.Parks & Trails
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No. On a standard residential lot, the property owner does not have to get permission or a permit to remove a tree on their property. If the residential lot abuts a creek or drainage channel, a typical property line extends to the center of the creek or channel. In this case, the property owner must receive approval from the Drainage Division of the Engineering Department in order to clear underbrush or remove trees.Parks & Trails
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Yes, mulch is available to residents of Mesquite, free of charge. A resident can get up to 2 cubic yards of mulch each month by going to the Compost Facility located at 3550 Lawson Road. Mulch is also available to non-residents for a nominal fee. If you have further questions, please call Solid Waste Division at 972-216-6285.Parks & Trails
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Yes and no. Most of the sites with Picnic Pavilions have a set of volleyball standards available for use with pavilion reservations. In some instances, by special request, the portable volleyball standards can be moved to a site for a large group outing.Parks & Trails
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The city allows each sports association to determine and coordinate practice locations and times for use. These associations also coordinate this usage among themselves. The city does not schedule practice fields.Parks & Trails
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No. They are for use by residents on a first come, first serve basis.Parks & Trails
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No. The courts are on a first come, first serve basis.Parks & Trails
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No.
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No. City and park properties are marked with signage prohibiting motorized vehicles in the parks because they are dangerous to pedestrians, and they damage turf and can cause erosion.Parks & Trails
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Each property owner is responsible for the mowing and upkeep of this area. Even though these areas are typically designated as utility easements, the property owner is responsible for mowing them. Also, should the property owner have a vacant area across the alley from them, that property owner is responsible for any mowing in an area 30’ from their back fence line. This is referred to as the “30 Feet Mow Rule” and can be read on under Ordinance 1816.Parks & Trails
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The maintenance of any tree planted in the three-foot grass area between fences and alleys or growing in an alley easement is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner.Parks & Trails
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It is unlawful for any person owning or having control or custody of any animal to permit or allow the animal to defecate within city parks (Section 4-10c of the City Code). It is the responsibility of the person owning or the person having control of the animal to dispose of the animal’s feces. Residents can report violators to the Animal Control Division.Parks & Trails