parks
El Paso County 'pauses' decision on future of duck pond at Ascarate Park
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Dave Burge , KTSM 9 News (NBC)
· July 19, 2026
· 1 min read
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- El Paso County officials said on Sunday evening, July 19 that they have "paused" any decisions about the duck pond at Ascarate Park and will hold at least three more community meetings to gather public input. “Nothing has been decided," said Betsy Keller, El Paso County c...
Key takeaway “Nothing has been decided," said Betsy Keller, El Paso County chief administrator.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The decision to pause plans for the duck pond at Ascarate Park reflects the county's willingness to listen to community concerns. Ascarate Park is a beloved green space in El Paso, and any changes to its amenities can have a significant impact on residents who frequent the area. By committing to hold at least three more community meetings, El Paso County officials are acknowledging the need for transparency and public engagement in the decision-making process. This pause also gives the community an opportunity to rally around the duck pond, a popular attraction that has been a part of the park's landscape for years. As the county moves forward with its plans, it will be crucial to balance the needs of various stakeholders, including park visitors, nearby residents, and local business owners, to ensure that any changes to the duck pond align with the community's vision for the park.
About this story
Original reporting by KTSM 9 News (NBC) . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KTSM 9 News (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: KTSM 9 News (NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The El Paso stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering parks and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- El Paso County officials said on Sunday evening, July 19 that they have "paused" any decisions about the duck pond at Ascarate Park and will hold at least three more community meetings to gather public input. “Nothing has been decided," said Betsy Keller, El Paso County c...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by KTSM 9 News (NBC) and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dave Burge at KTSM 9 News (NBC). To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More parks →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter