Van Alstyne Families Gain Access to New Futsal Courts in Sherman's $2M Park Plan

SHERMAN, Texas — The Sherman City Council has approved two park improvement projects totaling nearly $2 million, including the city's first futsal courts and a long-awaited playground replacement at Old Settlers Park.

The larger of the two projects allocates approximately $1.7 million for two futsal courts at Hawn Park. Futsal — a fast-paced variant of soccer played on a hard surface similar to a basketball court — has surged in popularity, and the nearest facilities are currently outside the Sherman area.

"This futsal sport is really becoming more and more and more popular and there's nowhere around here to play it," said Nate Strauch, Sherman's communications manager.

The second project, costing roughly $200,000, will replace the approximately 25-year-old playground at Old Settlers Park in the middle of the quad near the baseball fields. The playground has traditionally served younger siblings while older children play on surrounding fields.

"It's helping the community. It's helping the children. And then maybe more people like me will get out and walk more," said resident Denis Paschke.

Construction on both projects is expected to begin in August or September 2026 and take six to eight months, with completion anticipated by summer 2027. The projects are funded through bond money issued several years ago.

Van Alstyne, with roughly 5,500 residents on the border of Collin and Grayson counties, is approximately 50 miles north of Dallas. The city is poised for growth with Advanced Process Solutions building a $40 million manufacturing plant expected to create 175 jobs at an average salary of $75,000.