Monitor Photo/Di Johnson
Ground is broken on the Eight at Tool Park Jan. 27 by City Administrator Julius Kizzee (from left), Councilwoman Vera Bennett, former Mayor Tawnya Austin, Mayor Mike Dumont, Henderson County Commissioner Wendy Spivey, Texas Parks and Wildlife Representative Shannon Petersen, Councilman Greg Figueroa, Councilman Mark Holley and State Representative Keith Bell.

Monitor Photo/Di Johnson
State Representative Keith Bell (left) delivers a proclamation celebrating the groundbreaking event Jan. 27 with Tool Mayor Mike Dumont.

Monitor Photo/Di Johnson
Tool Mayor Mike Dumont and City Administrator Julius Kizzee welcome the crowd to the Eight at Tool Park groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 27, celebrating the pride the city has in the project coming to fruition.

TOOL–Tool city leaders rejoiced Jan. 27 as ground was finally broken on the Eight at Tool Park, a venture that has been long in the making. The event was attended by many members of the public, including local mayors, State Representative Keith Bell, Henderson County Commissioner Wendy Spivey, Texas Parks and Wildlife Representative Shannon Petersen and others who have had a hand in making the park a reality.
The event began in the Oran White Civic Center with a welcome address from Mayor Mike Dumont and City Administrator Julius Kizzee before Rep. Bell delivered a proclamation honoring the progress and years of work to bring the project to fruition. Tool City Council members Vera Bennett and Greg Figueroa spoke at the event, thanking citizens for their support over the years, celebrating former Mayor Tawnya Austin’s efforts in getting plans started years prior and speaking on progress in the city yet to come.
Dumont gave a presentation of the elements of the park and noted that this park is not just for Tool but for all who wish to indulge in lakeside entertainment, calling it the first of its kind on the west side of Cedar Creek Lake. 
The crowd then moved to the future site of the park where golden shovels awaited for the groundbreaking. Kizzee again thanked citizens for their support as leaders adorned their heads with hard hats to carry out the ceremony.
The Eight at Tool Park will be home to a fishing pond and dock, an inclusive playground, an amphitheater, a food truck court, pickleball and volleyball facilities, walking trails, croquet and horseshoe spaces, a butterfly garden, a dog park and plenty of green space to enjoy.
The park is set to be completed by April 2025.