A Scenic Legacy: York Bridge Concepts Elevates Settler's Park with Iconic City park Boardwalk in Grapevine, Texas
Th City of Grapevine, Texas, known for its rich heritage and vibrant public spaces, just raised the bar for urban park design with its latest project at Settler's Park. Partnering with York Bridge Concepts (YBC), the city has transformed a tranquil pond into a premier recreational destination. The Settler's Park expansion includes a long-span vehicular bridge, an ADA-compliant fishing pier, and sweeping elevated boardwalk complete with a wideout viewing area. Together, these structures form a cohesive, durable, and beautiful city park boardwalk experience that blends seamlessly with nature.
This project exemplifies YBC's unmatched expertise in custom timber bridge design and construction. It also showcases the company's Legacy Series finish--a hallmark of elegance, safety, and environmental harmony.
Specifications
Boardwalk
Width:
10' (9' clear)
Length:
355'
Height:
13' (from ground)
Capacity:
90PSF
Construction:
Deck-Level
Span Type:
Repetitive Span
Span Lengths:
11', 10', & 7'
Material:
CCA/CA-C Treated SYP. & Jatoba
Foundation:
Treated Timber Piles (Acrylic Coated where exposed)
Stringers:
SYP Stringers (Coated where exposed)
Deck Systems:
2" Jatoba
Hand Rail System:
2.5" Jatoba
Crossing:
Pond
Connecting Community Through Design
At its core, the Settler's Park project is about access--physical, visual, and emotional. The new infrastructure makes it easier for residents and visitors to explore the park's natural assets, offering scenic routes for walkers, joggers, and pedestrians alike. The long-span vehicular bridge provides critical access to the park for light-duty vehicles, uniting disparate areas of the park while preserving the natural topography and aquatic ecosystem beneath it.
Meanwhile, the elevated boardwalk stretches along the pond's edge, allowing users to glide gently above the shoreline. This path is more than a walkway--it's an invitation to pause. At its wideout section, benches welcome visitors to sit and relax, and take in panoramic views of water, and nature.
ADA Accessibility With A View
Inclusivity was a central pillar in the project's design. The fishing pier, constructed with ADA compliance from the ground up, offers accessible recreation for everyone. Whether casting a line or simply enjoying the peaceful waterside ambiance, every visitor has a front-row seat to nature's quiet spectacle.
YBC's commitment to accessible design doesn't end with compliance--it enhances the experience. The layout, materials, and integration of the fishing pier are indistinguishable from the rest of the project. This approach ensures that inclusivity isn't treated as an add-on but as a standard of excellence embedded in the very foundation.
Legacy Series: Built to Impress, Designed To Last
The standout feature of the Settler's Park bridges and boardwalk is YBC's signature Legacy Series finish. This isn't just about aesthetics--through the result is stunning. The finish features grooved, anti-slip tropical hardwood decking that not only looks beautiful but performs under pressure.
Durability is critical in any public park infrastructure, and YBC delivers with materials that withstand weather, wear, and time. The anti-slip surface enhances safety in wet or variable conditions, while the grooved design adds visual texture and elegance. Matching hardwood handrails complete the look, allowing the natural grains and rich hues of the wood to take center stage.
In a world filled with synthetic imitations, the Legacy Series reminds us of the power and beauty of real materials, masterfully crafted.
Environmental Harmony
Settler's Park is home to a divers array of plants and wildlife, and every design decision aimed to preserve that ecology. By elevating the boardwalk and using long-span construction methods, YBC minimized disruption to the land and water. This approach helps maintain water quality, protect habitats, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the site.
Wood, as a renewable and low-impact material, plays a key role in reducing the environmental footprint. Unlike other materials, tropical hardwoods offer a blend of strength and sustainability, especially when responsibly sourced and expertly maintained.
A New Standard for City Parks
The success of the Settler's Park project is more than a physical achievement--it's a cultural one. Grapevine has set a new standard for what a city park boardwalk can and should be. It's not just a path or a bridge. It's a stage for shared moments, community engagement, and quiet reflection.
With families picnicking on the grassy knolls, kids watching turtles from the boardwalk, anglers enjoying a bite from the fishing pier, and joggers crossing the bridge with morning sun at their backs, the space is already alive with stories.
Why Choose YBC for your City Parks
York Bridge Concepts has long been a leader in custom timber bridge solutions, and the Settler's Park project is a textbook example of why. Every curve, joint, and surface was purpose-built--not just to meet specs, but to exceed expectations.
Their in-house design team collaborates closely with municipalities to ensure project meets the unique needs of the site and community. YBC's construction team brings those visions to life with surgical precision. And our Legacy Series isn't just a product--it's a philosophy of long-term quality, elegance, and usability.
For the City of Grapevine, choosing YBC was about more than building bridges. It was about building trust, community, and a lasting sense of place.
Looking Ahead
As other cities and municipalities look for ways to enhance their public spaces, Settler's Park offers a compelling model. Thoughtful design, sustainable materials, and user-centric features alike ADA access and scenic view areas can turn a simple park upgrade into a transformative civic achievement.
YBC's work here stands as both inspiration and blueprint: a reminder that infrastructure can be beautiful, that accessibility can be seamless, and that the best public projects are those that make room for everyone.
Final Thought
The city park boardwalk at Settler's Park isn't just a new attraction--it's a legacy in the landscape. With York Bridge Concepts at the helm, Grapevine didn't just build bridges. They built belonging, beauty, and balance.
The results speak for themselves.