Residents weigh in on future of Ascarate Park duck pond

EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — The future of the duck pond at Ascarate Park remains undecided after El Paso County held its first public information session Wednesday evening, giving residents a chance to weigh in on a proposal that could remove the pond as part of the park’s long-term planning efforts.

The meeting was part of a broader discussion on the future of Ascarate Park, including improvements funded through the 2024 voter-approved Capital Improvement Bond. Those projects include upgrades to trails, lighting, parking, roadways and other infrastructure.

Much of the discussion, however, centered on the duck pond.

County consultants said the pond faces long-term challenges, including water quality concerns, algae growth, water loss and ongoing maintenance issues.

Jordan Salas reports on Residents weigh in on future of Ascarate Park duck pond (Credit: KFOX14)

One concept presented during the meeting would remove the duck pond and replace it with a soccer field and additional green space while shifting improvements toward the larger Ascarate Lake.

Residents who attended the meeting urged the county to preserve the pond.

“There’s only two bodies of water here within the city,” Noel Castaneda said. “To remove a body of water where you can fish … that’s going to be a great shame.”

Sergio Terango said the pond remains an important gathering place for families.

“I was here this weekend and it was surrounded with patrons … the duck pond,” Terango said. “If that was not there, those people wouldn’t have been able to have a good time.”

Consultants emphasized that removing the duck pond is only a proposal and that no final decision has been made.

“It is a proposal that has come forth based on the information that is available, the research and data that we’ve been collecting from the last six months,” consultant Paulina Lagos said.

County officials said the additional public meetings are intended to gather community feedback before commissioners decide how to move forward.

“It’s just going to be a process over the next month of really focusing in on this issue,” said Sito Negron, senior policy adviser for Commissioner David Stout’s office. “Really, it’s mostly this one that’s risen to the top and generated the most discussion.”

Additional public information sessions are scheduled through early August:

Wednesday, July 15 — 6 p.m. | Ascarate Park PavilionSaturday, July 18 — 9 a.m. | Duck PondWednesday, July 22 — 6 p.m. | Ascarate Park PavilionWednesday, July 29 — 6 p.m. | Ascarate Park PavilionThursday, August 6 — 6 p.m. | Ascarate Park Pavilion (Special Commissioners Court Meeting)

According to Negron, El Paso County Commissioners Court could make a decision on the duck pond proposal during a special meeting planned for Aug. 6.

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