A Venue Sales Tax approved by local voters in November 2000 provided for park and public land improvements. The Venue Projects approved by voters included improvements to two existing facilities, Memorial and Bicentennial Parks; acquisition of two proposed public spaces, Eastgate Park and Javelina Hill; and acquisition and improvement of property around or near the existing historic Sanderson Depot. Improvements completed at the the existing BiCentennial Park include a new pavilion, horseshoe court, water play scape, major rehab of the public swimming pool, and construction of an open-air pavilion. On land donated by Jolly Harkens, now called Eastgate Park, Terrell County provided landscaping and highway signage. Javelina and Hominy Hills were acquired in 2005 as a natural park land. The long-awaited NATURE TRAIL is now available for in-town hikes and viewing.

BICENTENNIAL PARK (Existing)

Bicentennial Park, established and named for the 50th Anniversary of Terrell County, is the largest and most used of the community parks. Amenities include a public swimming pool, playground equipment, and a large open playscape. Improvements completed as Venue Projects include major rehab of the public swimming pool and construction of an open air pavilion. Through the volunteer efforts of the Sanderson Community Development Association's grant team, Terrell County was successful in its application with Texas Parks & Wildlife for financial assistance with these recreational projects through their Outdoor Recreation Grant Program.

JAVELINA HILL

Part of the Outdoor Recreation Grant included Nature Trails around Javelina and Hominy Hills from Highway 90 to Bicentennial Park cresting at some 2900 feet elevation with a scenic overlook. The scenic overlook has not been completed, but the added land on Javelina and Hominy Hills enlarged Bicentennial Park to about 40 acres.

MEMORIAL PARK (Existing)

Memorial Park was established and named in remembrance of the 1965 flood and devastating loss of lives and property. Memorial Park is located near the railroad and remote from the primary residential area of Sanderson. Proposed use under the Venue Projects was to have provided a public-access open space along the historic railroad and Downie (Old Main) Street, but this work has not yet been undertaken.

EASTGATE PARK

Eastgate Park is not a traditional park, but a place for signage and landscaping announcing Sanderson's status as the "Cactus Capital of Texas." As part of the Venue Projects, Eastgate Park was meant to be a low maintenance visual treat or photo opportunity for locals and visitors entering Sanderson on East Highway 90. Eastgate Park land was donated to the County by Jolly Harkens.

OLD TOWN PLAZA (Proposed)

Old Town Plaza is the largest and most ambitious of the Venue Projects. Originally envisioned by architectural students from Texas Tech University, the Plaza concept has been abandoned by Commissioners in favor of a Convention Center at another location. Revitalizing of parks and public spaces downtown are expected to enhance tourism and pedestrian traffic which will in turn help rebuild the local retail and business tax base. Restoration of historic Downie Street would help meet the preservation goals of the community.

SUMMARY OF VENUE PROJECTS

While local and visitor recreation is important to building and sustaining economic growth, parks in rural areas are costly to maintain for free public use. Old Town Plaza is the heart of the economic revitalization program and will, if successfully completed, contribute to an increased tax based needed for maintenance of the public spaces. Although Venue tax funds will not be available for use on surrounding privately owned buildings, proximity to the attractive public space should provide downtown property owners a much needed incentive to improve the appearance and income potential of their properties. Based on sales tax income to Terrell County, Venue tax funds have exceeded $100,000 per year. This amount, even over the next decade will not complete all the work contemplated above. Continued growth will be required to raise additional funding from grants, gifts, fundraisers, and public or private donors.