What happened: The City of Midland and Permian Resources have agreed to a public-private partnership that will fund major improvements at the Wadley-Barron Park Duck Pond. Permian Resources will pay for and coordinate the work, which is designed to fix the underlying problems that have kept the pond from holding a steady water level.

The big picture: The new work is meant to address the long-term issues with the pond instead of relying on temporary fixes. The scope includes dredging and deepening the pond, installing a liner, repairing erosion and concrete, adding new fountains, and making related electrical improvements. The 2.25-acre pond has gone through many floods, expansions, dredges, and restoration efforts over the decades.

“Wadley-Barron Park has been part of Midland for generations, and this partnership gives us an opportunity to make meaningful, long-term improvements to a place that is important to so many families,” Mayor Lori Blong said. “This is a strong example of what can happen when the City and our corporate community work together to make Midland an even better place to call home.”

Go deeper: The Duck Pond has been a gathering place in Midland for generations as we use the park for walks, picnics, and enjoy nature and time outside. My family has enjoyed the duck pond for so many years. To me it’s where my grandmother would take me to feed the ducks and turtles, where we would watch the Christmas parade and Christmas tree light up every year, and where once me and my sister ‘ice-skated’ across its frozen surface. The pond is such a unique place to Midland. I’m glad to see others loving it and willing to invest in its future so that new generations can form the same kinds of memories.

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“Creating a community where people want to live, work and raise families is critical to Midland’s future,” said James Walter, Co-CEO for Permian Resources. “As a company headquartered in Midland, we know what the Wadley-Barron Park Duck Pond means to this community. It’s more than a pond and walking path — it’s a place where families and friends gather, spend time with their children, and enjoy a great outdoor space in Midland. We’re proud to help make sure it’s here for generations to come.”

A bit of background: Wadley-Barron Park is named for two early Midland pioneers: Addison Wadley and J.H. Barron. Addison Wadley, the son of another prominent Wadley who establishing the town’s first lumberyard, was known for his community involvement and socialite status. Wadley Avenue is also in reference to the family name. J.H. Barron founded the town’s first dry-goods store, Everybody’s, and helped organize Midland’s Baptist Church in the 1880s.

The land formed part of the Midland Country Club’s original nine-hole golf course. The course operated from 1927 until the club relocated north of town in 1951 and the City of Midland acquired the 7.3-acre property. The pond itself began as a natural playa and, according to local legend, once served as a buffalo wallow.

What’s next: The City and Permian Resources will share more details on construction timing, park access, and future improvements as the project moves forward.