GALLERY: Lake Ft. Phantom Hill master plan includes trails, ropes course, restaurant, camping areas, more
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Abilene City Officials are currently in the process of drafting a Master Plan for Lake Ft. Phantom Hill that will include massive developments such as trails, a ropes course, swimming and fishing areas, a restaurant and marina, camping areas, and more.
Initial planning began in December 2023, starting with a community survey, stakeholder interviews, a workshop, and design studio.
Eventually, designs for each of the following 8 park sites along Ft. Phantom Hill were generated that make up a vaster master plan for the lake:
Johnson Park
The Promenade, Boulder Bay + Northeast Beach
The Cove
Northeast Boat Ramp
Southeast Boat Ramp
Seabee Park
Red Dirt Trails
Big plans are in the works for Johnson Park, which will serve as a sort of hub at Lake Ft. Phantom.
Under the master plan, there will be dedicated swimming areas, a shallow fishing zone with docks, deeper fishing areas, tent camping, a park with sports courts, a beach, a marina with restrooms, a lakeside RV park, a lodge with restrooms, trails, an enhanced disc golf course, adventure towers, a water challenge and agility course and more.
The marina at Lake Ft. Phantom Hill will have a pro shop + apparel, boat storage, fishing tours, restrooms, rentals (boats, tubes, paddle, water sports, kayak, row, and aqua cycles), convenience store, and a restaurant.
An adventure park, which will be accessible with a fee, will have climbing hills + slides, adult swing sets, a rope challenge course, zip lines, water play areas, fitness courses, and more.
The Promenade area connects the east and west sides of the lake. It currently has a road that goes across the dam, but if developed, it will have pedestrian access as well, fishing docks, plazas, landmarks, and scenic outlooks.
Boulder Bay and the Northeast Beach area will have more overlooks, trails, fishing and water sports opportunities, glamping, RV camping, a club house, drive-in theatre, yard games area, a food truck park, and more.
Concept plans for the Cove area include swimming areas, beaches, kite/lawn space, preservation and habitat restoration zones, and trails.
The Southeast Boat Ramp will have more fishing, restrooms, trails, and a picnic area.
Sea Bee Park will also be upgraded with tent camping, a nature center with urban agriculture area, waterfront vistas and picnic areas, trails, and more.
Red Dirt Trails will feature several walking trails on the south side of the lake.
Next steps for the Lake Ft. Phantom Hill master plan will be an open house June 11, then the Park Board will consider the plan July 16, before it gets final consideration by the Abilene City Council July 25.
Currently, this plan is just a concept and there is no dollar amount, estimated completion date for any of the projects, or funding ideas in place.
Lake Ft. Phantom Hill stakeholders include Lake Fort Phantom Hill Association, Abilene Radio Control Society, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Lake Fort Phantom Boat Rentals, Abilene Sailing Association, SUP Abilene, Wake Park, and Abilene City Staff.
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