Recently during a City Council workshop meeting, I mentioned that exploring a potential relationship with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding the possibility of leasing Dana Peak Park is one of my budget priorities for the coming year. Because there has been discussion in the community about this topic, I want to take a moment to explain why it is on my priority list and where things actually stand.

First, the City of Harker Heights is not currently taking control of Dana Peak Park, and the City is not entering into any lease agreement at this time. What I mentioned during the meeting was simply that exploring whether a lease could even be possible is a priority worth examining.

The reason this matters to me goes back to the input our residents have given us. In 2017, the City conducted a broad community visioning effort that included public sessions, visits with civic organizations, and conversations with residents at community events. Hundreds of citizens shared their thoughts about what they wanted to see in Harker Heights’ future. One message came through very clearly: residents wanted more family activities and more opportunities to enjoy the natural assets that make our community unique.

One of the features that citizens consistently pointed to was Lake Stillhouse Hollow and the recreational opportunities surrounding it. In fact, one resident even described our community as “Lake City USA.” As part of those discussions, Dana Peak Park was frequently mentioned as an important recreational asset that residents would like to see more accessible and available.

Because of that input, the City began conversations several years ago with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to understand what it would take for a city to lease and operate the park. At that time, the Corps was not interested in leasing the park. In later years, as federal recreational funding became more limited, the Corps approached the City about the possibility of a lease. City staff carefully reviewed the proposed lease terms and identified several provisions that would need to be revised before the City could even consider moving forward. Those issues exist at the federal level, and since the early 2020s our staff has worked with our federal representatives to explore whether those revisions could be made. To date, no changes have occurred. If the lease terms cannot be revised, then there is simply no path forward for the City to lease Dana Peak Park. If revisions were ever made that made a lease feasible, the next step would not be immediate action. Instead, the issue would come before the City Council and would include public hearings and additional citizen visioning sessions to determine what residents would want the park to provide.

From my perspective, there are two guiding principles that would be critical in any discussion. First, the park should ideally be open 365 days a year so that residents can enjoy it year-round, rather than closing for extended periods as it currently does. Second, the operation of the park should be financially neutral, meaning that operational costs would be offset by gate fees rather than creating a financial burden on city taxpayers.

Recently, a petition has circulated that suggests the City is preparing to take control of the park for commercialization or that its natural beauty is somehow at risk. I want to be clear: those claims are false and very misleading. The City has not entered into a lease, staff have not been authorized to enter into a lease, and no decision about operating Dana Peak Park has been made.

Petitions are an important way for citizens to share their opinions, and I respect the passion people have for this park. However, it is also important that the conversation be based on accurate information. At this point, the City is simply evaluating whether there is even a viable path forward.

If there ever is a path forward, the decision will be guided by public input and City Council approval. The original interest in exploring Dana Peak Park came directly from our residents, and as Mayor I believe it is my responsibility to listen when citizens express a vision for their community.

I appreciate the strong interest people have in Dana Peak Park and the care our community shows for preserving its natural character. My goal is the same as yours: to ensure that Harker Heights continues to grow in ways that enhance quality of life while protecting the assets that make our city special.

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Quality Of Place Report 2017

The City has been made aware that fiber internet companies are soliciting residents and suggesting that members of City leadership and/or the City Council have endorsed their services as a preferred provider.

We want to clarify that the City has not endorsed or designated any fiber company as a preferred vendor. Any statements suggesting that a company has official support from the City or the City Council are inaccurate.

Multiple providers operate in our community, and residents are encouraged to evaluate their options and choose the service that best fits their needs. For additional information about “Fiber Company Questions to Ask” and “Solicitors”, see the posts pinned at the top of our City Facebook Page.

If you have questions or concerns about fiber installation or right-of-way work in your neighborhood, please contact our Planning Department at 254-953-5648. If you would like to report a solicitor, please call Code Enforcement during business hours at 254-953-5650 or, if after business hours, the Police Department non-emergency number at 254-953-5400.

Thank you for helping us keep our community informed.

The Harker Heights public water system, (PWS) ID# 0140023, will temporarily convert the disinfectant used in the distribution system from chloramine to free chlorine. The conversion will begin on February 1, 2026 and continue through February 28, 2026. During this period, you may experience taste and odor changes associated with this type of temporary disinfectant conversion.

Public water systems are required to properly disinfect their water and maintain an adequate disinfectant residual in the distribution system. Chloramine, free chlorine combined with ammonia, is widely used as a disinfectant because it persists for long periods while also limiting the formation of disinfection by-product contaminants. Prolonged use of chloramine coupled with other factors that can impact water quality, such as high temperatures or stagnation of water, may result in the growth and/or persistence of organic matter within the pipes of the distribution system, which may hinder the ability to maintain an adequate disinfectant residual. A temporary conversion to free chlorine, partnered with flushing activities, helps to rid distribution pipes of this organic matter and improve the quality of your water overall.

Harker Heights has chosen to implement a temporary disinfectant conversion to free chlorine based on the following:   

Water distribution system maintenance to clean pipes, control bacterial growth and maintain water quality.

If you have questions regarding this matter, you may contact: John McElroy City of Harker Heights Public Works Director at 254-953-5613.

Drinking Water Disinfection and the Free Chlorine Conversion Process FAQs

The City of Harker Heights has joined the affiliate program of Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), a statewide community improvement, litter prevention, and beautification organization. KTB is a network of dedicated Texans working together to make Texas the cleanest and most beautiful state in the nation. Through this partnership, the Harker Heights Parks & Recreation Department will lead Keep Harker Heights Beautiful, strengthening local efforts to promote civic pride and environmental stewardship.

As a new affiliate, Keep Harker Heights Beautiful will be recognized as part of a statewide movement of Texans working together to keep their hometowns clean and vibrant. Affiliates commit to leading at least one community project each year, from litter cleanups to tree plantings, recycling initiatives, and other beautification efforts.

By joining the Keep Texas Beautiful affiliate network, Keep Harker Heights Beautiful gains access to grant opportunities, free training and education, and the ability to collaborate with affiliate organizations across Texas.

KTB’s mission is “to educate and engage Texans to take responsibility for improving their community environment.” By joining, the City of Harker Heights reaffirms its commitment to maintaining a cleaner, greener, and more beautiful community for all residents to enjoy.

To find out more you can visit The City of Harker Heights Parks and Recreation page at https://www.harkerheights.gov/parksandrec or follow them on Facebook.

For more information call 254-953-5465, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ubiquity/Millenium Telecom has resumed their Fiber Infrastructure installation projects in Harker Heights. Below is a map for the currently released area of construction, with the impacted area shown in gold. The phases and areas are determined by each individual utility company. The projects are not necessarily constructed in numerical or geographical order. As a reminder, the City is not contracted to install fiber in our community. Each fiber company is an independent utility, similar to Oncor and Atmos. There are currently six fiber companies permitted to work within the City’s public utility easements and street right of way. The City does not control the timeline nor contractors for these fiber installations. Please know that Ubiquity/Millenium Telecom will have construction projects in different parts of the City through the end of 2026.

Residents in the impacted area will see flags in their yard starting to appear. It is important to leave those public utility flags in place because they show the location and type of existing utilities that are located underground. This is done for the safety of the workers and to minimize disruption of your utility services. Ubiquity/Millenium Telecom’s contractor will place door hangers in the neighborhoods where they will be working. Specific questions regarding repair of yards and private infrastructure (water service, sewer service, irrigation lines) after construction can be directed to Ubiquity/Millenium Telecom’s Contractor at 325-267-9611.

All of Ubiquity/Millenium Telecom’s work will be done in the Public Right-of-Way, within public utility easements, or within private easements with the landowner’s consent. Please note that the existing public utility easements may be in your back yard, side yard or front yard. Some of their work will be above ground and some will be beneath ground. Ubiquity/Millenium Telecom’s contractors should have a copy of their contractor registration, construction plans signed by the City, and a paid invoice as proof that they are permitted to work in the previously referenced easements. Residents may ask to see a copy of those documents if the contractor enters their property. If they cannot produce them then please report them to the City’s Development department at 254-953-5647.