Aggie Park Construction To Commence This Summer

The development of Aggie Park in the heart of the Texas A&M University campus is moving into its major construction phase this summer, which will affect access to the park and to the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center.

The Aggie Park beautification project is transforming 20 acres in the heart of campus into enhanced outdoor spaces for study and relaxation, tailgating, entertainment and recreation for students and visitors. The project, which is envisioned as “an outdoor MSC,” will include water features, an outdoor amphitheater, improved infrastructure, and a new facility operated by The Association of Former Students. Conceptual renderings, an FAQ, and more can be found at aggiepark.tamu.edu.  

“We are excited to begin construction on Aggie Park and look forward to seeing this long-awaited premier space for celebration, relaxation and inspiration come to fruition,” said Porter S. Garner III ’79, President and CEO of The Association of Former Students, which oversees the Aggie Park development project, providing contractor and project oversight and funding.

The Association is leasing the land on campus owned by The Texas A&M University System for the duration of construction; the land will be turned back over to the A&M System at the end of the project. The development of Aggie Park is being made possible by the generous financial gifts of the Aggie Network.

Groundbreaking was held in February 2020, and the past 15 months have been focused on design development, fundraising and site preparation. To facilitate the start of major site work, construction fencing will be erected around most of the Aggie Park acreage beginning on July 6.

Temporary Changes To Alumni Center Access

With the construction fencing in place, access to the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center will be impacted. The parking lot adjacent to the Williams Alumni Center and the semicircular parking area along Houston Street will both be closed through at least the end of 2021. The nearest parking for guests to the Williams Alumni Center will be the University Center Garage, adjacent to the John J. Koldus Building.

The only public entrance to the Williams Alumni Center will be via the sidewalk along Houston Street and through the doors closest to the Haynes Ring Plaza. Temporary modifications are being made to ensure the entrance meets ADA accessibility requirements.

The sidewalks on the outer perimeter of Aggie Park will be inaccessible beginning in the spring of 2022. Pedestrians will be diverted to the sidewalks on the north side of Throckmorton/Coke Street, the south side of Houston Street, and the east side of George Bush Drive.

Limited Aggie Park Access For The Fall Of 2021

The ongoing construction in Aggie Park means tailgating in Aggie Park will be temporarily unavailable for the 2021 football season. Tailgating will be available in other campus locations as authorized by Texas A&M University, and in accordance with the tailgating guidelines established by the university.

Park construction is scheduled to be complete in time for the fall 2022 football season.

Association Vice President Marty Holmes ’87 said the newly developed park will provide additional tailgating space and a greatly enhanced tailgating experience, with level surfaces and upgraded infrastructure, such as public wifi access and modern restroom facilities.

“The temporary inconvenience of 2021 will be well worth the enhanced tailgating experience Aggie Park will provide once completed,” Holmes said.

During the 2021 football season, there will be an open corridor from Throckmorton Street to Houston Street along the south side of the University Center Garage, to allow pedestrian traffic from the area of the Corps of Cadets quad to Kyle Field.

Once park construction concludes in 2022, the perimeter fencing will shift inward to encircle only the area surrounding the new facility being built within the park. Construction of the building is scheduled to be completed by the spring of 2023.

Temporary Changes To Association Events

During park construction, Association events that attract large crowds — such as Ring Day, Howdy Week GatheRing, and others — will be held at other locations.

The September and November 2021 Aggie Ring Days will be held in the Ford Hall of Champions at Kyle Field.

Locations for GatheRing, Class Reunions and other events will be announced on AggieNetwork.com and on the @AggieNetwork social media channels as plans are finalized.

Aggie Ring Orders

Students ordering their Aggie Rings by June 23 -- for the September Ring Day -- will be unaffected by Aggie Park construction.

August graduates who intend to pick up their Aggie Rings will receive an email in late July with delivery details.

Students who may be eligible to order their Aggie Rings later in the year – for the November Ring Day -- will receive an email in early August with Aggie Ring order information.

Questions about Aggie Ring orders can be submitted to AggieRing@AggieNetwork.com.

Questions About Aggie Park?

General information about Aggie Park, including a project overview, timelines, and architectural renderings, can be found at aggiepark.tamu.edu.

Media inquiries should be directed to Association Vice President Kathryn Greenwade ’88 at KGreenwade88@AggieNetwork.com or (979) 845-7514.

Questions about the operation or design of the park may be directed to Marty Holmes ’87 at MHolmes87@AggieNetwork.com or (979) 845-7514.

Inquiries about financial support of the Aggie Park development, including naming opportunities, may be directed to Association Vice President Nic Taunton ’07 at NTaunton07@AggieNetwork.com or Manager of Development Sheila Connor ’92 at SConnor92@AggieNetwork.com or by calling either at (979) 845-7514.

Other inquiries may be submitted to AggiePark@AggieNetwork.com.

The Association of Former Students is the oldest organization serving Texas A&M University in support of the ever-growing Aggie Network. We are HERE for Aggies during their days as students and former students, THERE for Aggies as they make their way around the world and EVERYWHERE the Aggie Network needs us to be. To help us help more Aggies, visit tx.ag/Give.