The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About25 02 PRB AgendaNext Parks and Recreation Board Meeting – February 27, 2025 In compliance with American with Disabilities Act, if you plan to attend this public meeting and you have a disability that requires special arrangements, please contact Charlotte Herling at 713.662.5823 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting so that reasonable accommodations can be made to assist your participation in the meeting. The West University Place Recreation Center is wheelchair accessible and specially marked parking spaces are available in the northwest parking area. Special seating will be provided in the Conference Room. _____Charlotte Herling ____________ Charlotte Herling Admin. Coordinator POSTED THIS _31__DAY OF January 2025 AT __ O’CLOCK P.M. Notice of Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Wednesday, February 5, 2025 6:30PM CITY HALL –CONFERENCE ROOM 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. West University Place, Texas I.Call to Order: Chair Stephanie Magers II.Citizen Comments: Any member of the public wishing to address the Board. This is an opportunity for citizens to speak to the Parks and Recreation Board relating to agenda and parks and recreation related items. Public comments must be kept relevant to the subjects before the Parks and Recreation Board. The presiding officer shall rule on the relevance of comments. Persons making irrelevant, personal, impertinent, or slanderous remarks may be barred by the presiding officer from further comment before the Parks and Recreation Board during the meeting. Speakers must limit their presentations to three minutes each. III.Approval of Minutes: January 8, 2025 IV.Recreation Center and Pickleball/Tennis Surveys: Ron Gailey V.Recreation Update: PGAL VI.Council Update: Shannon Carroll VII.Friends Overview: Sami Morrison, Friends Board Chair VIII.Parks & Recreation Update: Susan White, Parks and Recreation Director •Parks & Recreation Activity Guide Redesign •Cardio/Weight Room Television Procedures •2024 Year in ReviewIX.Park Ambassador Reports & Remarks: •Colonial Park Maryann Grahmann (East), Lauren Griffith (West), Stephen Damiani (Pool) •Edloe Pathway Richard Cunningham •Friends Park Sami Morrison •Huffington Park Ryan Firth •Jennie Hughes Park Sarah Barrett •Judson Park Stephanie Magers •Recreation Center Rebecca Brownlie •Whitt Johnson Park Arlene Wells •Wier Park LuLu Lopez X.Order of Business: Stephanie Magers, Chair •Old Business •New Business XI.Adjournment MEMORANDUM Proposed TV Channel Policy for Cardio/Weight Room 1 Date: January 28, 2025 To: Susan White, Parks and Recreation Director From: Brittany Bakes, Recreation Manager RE: Proposed TV Channel Policy for Cardio/Weight Room Overview: To foster a more inclusive and neutral environment in the cardio and weight room, Recreation Center staff propose implementing a standardized TV channel policy for the three community TVs in these areas. This policy is intended to reduce the need for frequent channel changes throughout the day and minimize the potential for political discussions or disagreements, which can occasionally lead to conflicts. By standardizing these channels, we aim to create a more harmonious atmosphere where all members can enjoy their workout in a comfortable, non-distracting setting, free from potentially polarizing content. New Channel Policy: The following channels will be designated for the community TVs in the cardio/weight rooms: • Business Channel • Sports Channel • Cooking Channel These channels were chosen to provide a balanced range of content that is neutral, informative, and generally enjoyable for a wide variety of members. The goal is to avoid issues that may arise from news channels, which can often be divisive and distracting. Additional Options: Members using cardio machines will still have the ability to select different content, including news channels, on their personal devices via headphones or personal screens. This ensures that those who prefer more specific content are still accommodated. Why This Change? This policy is designed to: • Promote a neutral, comfortable atmosphere in shared spaces. • Eliminate potential distractions or discomfort caused by news-related content. 2 • Ensure all members have a more universally agreeable experience while working out. We appreciate your consideration in helping to make our gym environment as welcoming and comfortable as possible for everyone. Thank you! Brittany Bakes Recreation Manager 2024 Year in Review City of West University Place Parks & Recreation 2 West U Parks & Recreation | 2024 Year in Review Vision West University Place Parks and Recreation Department strives to lead Texas as an active and healthy community. Mission The West University Place Parks and Recreation Department team offers quality programs, facilities, and services that encourage community participation and promote fun, physical activity and growth, in a safe and wholesome environment. Values – West U Spirit We Serve the West U Community! We are Professional! We act with Integrity! We produce Results! We look for Innovation! We work as a Team! 3 West U Parks & Recreation | 2024 Year in Review West University Place, TX Parks & Recreation Department Administration Susan White, Parks & Recreation Director Charlotte Herling, Administrative Coordinator Recreation Brittany Bakes, Recreation Manager Willette Middleton, Recreation Operations Supervisor Lisa Cearfoss, Program Specialist - Aquatics and Recreation James Browning, Program Specialist - Aquatics and Recreation Alondra Cruz, Lifeguard Lead Abraham Venegas, Customer Service Lead Park Maintenance Jeremy Veld, Parks Operations Manager Senior Services Toby Brooks, Senior Services Manager Patricia Noren, Program Specialist - Senior Services Donna LaMond, Friends of West University Parks Executive Director Coordinators Rob Cantu - Recreation Jonathan Aguilar - Recreation Stephany Monsivias - Aquatics Juan Lopz - Aquatics Mary Sission - Senior Services Summer Interns Jayla Harrison - Recreation 4 West U Parks & Recreation | 2024 Year in Review Fall Interns Neece Pellum - Recreation TRAPS East Region Recreation Professional of the Year Parks & Recreation Department City Council Susan Sample, Mayor John Montgomery, Mayor Pro Tem Shannon Carroll, Council Member Clay Brett, Council Member Matt Hart, Council Member City Manager Stephanie Magers, Chair Samantha Morrison, Friends Board Rep Sarah Barrett Rebecca Brownlie Richard Cunningham Stephan Damiani Ryan Firth Maryann Grahmann Lauren Griffith Laura “Lu Lu” Lopez Arlene Wells Friends of West U Parks Board Samantha Morrison, Chair Donna LaMond, Executive Director Susan White, Ex-Officio Judy Cheng Sarah Covington Mary Frances DuMay Kimberly Eads Dan Fertig Kelly Beth Hapgood Katie Hill Kelly Hill Michelle Huth Jordan Jewett Megan Nicodemus Stephen Olson Christine Parker Mark Prescott Katy Turner Mitra Woody Christi Young 5 West U Parks & Recreation | 2024 Year in Review Parks & Recreation Board Dave Beach Senior Board Ann Crowley, Chair Diana Ayers Candyce Beneke Soraya Brombacher Kay Bryan Robin Burks Teresa George-Hung George Hilderbrandt Karen Kenny Debbie Pedrick Gloria Nino Monacelli Eileen O’Neil Jennifer Sickman Laura Turley Geri Wood Friends of West University Parks Fund, Inc The Friends of West University Parks Fund, (Friends) is a volunteer based 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to raising funds for development and improvement of parks and green spaces in the City of West University Place. 6 West U Parks & Recreation | 2024 Year in Review Parks Lovers' Ball Co-Chairs Jordan & Andrew Jewett Sarah & Travis Covington Fathers & Flashlights Co-Chairs Kelly Beth & Charlie Hapgood Megan & Nick Nicodemus Katy & Chris Turner In 2024, between Park Lovers' Ball and Fathers & Flashlights, Friends of West U Parks netted $552,000 for West U's parks and green spaces. www.westuparks.org 2024 Star Citizen Awards 2024 Park Lovers’ Ball Co-Chairs: Sarah & Travis Covington and Jordan & Andrew Jewettt The City of West University Place Parks and Recreation Department was honored with the prestigious Gold Medal Award at the Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) Institute Annual Awards Ceremony on February 29 at the Moody Gardens Convention Center in Galveston, Texas. West University Place is the only Class IV (Populations up to 25,000) city in Texas to receive this designation in 2024. The Gold Medal Award recognizes communities demonstrating excellence in Parks and Recreation Management. Long-range planning, resource and fiscal management, programming and events, public input, community involvement, volunteerism, and marketing/promotional efforts were all considerations for the award. “Each city is only eligible once every three years, and West University Place is the only agency with populations under 25,000 to receive this honor three times,” said Susan White, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department. “This is not by happenstance, this is a testament to our fantastic staff, and continuous support from board members and City Council,” she added. The Friends of West University Parks Fund (Friends)has been instrumental in the overall success of the department’s efforts. Since their inception in 1986, the Friends have raised nearly $9M to improve West U’s parks. Friends is a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to raising funds for the development and improvement of parks and green spaces in the City of West University Place. For more information, visit www.westuparks.org. The Texas Recreation and Park Society is a nonprofit 501(c)3 educational and professional organization committed to advancing the field of parks, recreation, and leisure services in Texas. There are over 2,300 professional and citizen-advocate members of the Texas Recreation and Park Society. For more information, visit www.traps.org. Parks & Recreation Department 7 West U Parks & Recreation | 2024 Year in Review TRAPS Gold Medal Award Parks and Greenspaces 8 West U Parks & Recreation | 2024 Year in Review Wier Park Improvements On Saturday, June 29, members of the West University Place City Council, Friends of West University Parks Fund (Friends), and Parks & Recreation staff hosted a celebratory ribbon cutting ceremony to reopen Wier Park. “This marks our largest park improvement to date. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with the citizen user group, Parks and Recreation Board, City Council, and the Friends of West U Parks Fund Board, who, along with architects at Burditt Consultants, LLC, and contractor Jerdon Enterprises L.P., made our ideas come to reality. We can’t wait for the community to enjoy these improvements for years to come!” Susan White, Parks & Recreation Director The renovations were made possible through the generosity of Friends. Through their philanthropic events, the Friends have raised enough funds to cover the entire cost of these improvements. Thanks to their unwavering support, West U taxpayers have been alleviated of funding this project. The Friends of West University Parks Fund, (Friends) is a volunteer based 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to raising funds for development and improvement of parks and green spaces in the City of West University Place. Visit www.westuparks.org for more information on Friends and all of the wonderful initiatives they have done for West U’s parks. The main items include: repainting the current play structures replacing the artificial safety turf refreshing the picnic tables and benches removing the decomposed granite and adding connective pathways and shade structures expanding play areas with new features such as a play mound and signature swing installing a new gate entry off Nottingham Street and pavers adding a gathering area conducive for small parties and picnics resurface and restripe tennis and basketball courts additional seating removing the parking space on Nottingham Street to increase open green space, which is an initiative identified in the Parks and Open Space Master Plan Improvements for the space west of the basketball court included adding chin-up bars and a cornhole game. Solar and lighting enhancements were also included. See pictures on next page. Parks and Greenspaces 9 West U Parks & Recreation | 2024 Year in Review Parks and Greenspaces 10 West U Parks & Recreation | 2024 Year in Review Harris County Poor Farm Historical Marker Dedication On Wednesday, December 11, the Harris County Historical Commission unveiled the historical marker for the Harris County Poor Farm located along the Edloe Pathway near the Tangley Street pedestrian bridge. With the support of Bernice Mistrot from the Harris County Historical Commission, West U resident and local historian Richard Cunningham initiated the process of applying for the state marker in 2021. Their thorough research and dedication were instrumental in meeting the state’s designation requirements to bring their efforts for a marker to fruition. “This historical designation comes at a pivotal time in our city’s history as this year marked our centennial anniversary,” said Mayor Susan Sample. “The Harris County Poor Farm is a chapter in the development of West U and our neighboring communities, and it is times like this that we are reminded of our shared history and the progress we’ve made together,” she added. PARD staff with Richard Cunningham 11 West U Parks & Recreation | 2024 Year in Review Colonial Park Pool Summer Aquatic Leadership Asher Luengas - Captain Thomas Carr - Captain Andrew tan - Captain Will Nickerson - Captain Paige Naughton - Asst. Manager Alex Kurie - Asst. Manager Member Visits Memberships Sold 3,125 Seasonal Aquatic Staff 132 Daily Passes Summer 2024 Lifeguard Staff 23,091 5,204 12 West U Parks & Recreation | 2024 Year in Review Recreation Member Visits Memberships Sold Daily Passes Tennis/Pickleball Memberships Sold Total Tennis/Pickleball Reservations Tennis Court Hours Used 40,240 4,127 7,990 1,362 12,483 118 13 West U Parks & Recreation | 2024 Year in Review Recreation Private Swim Lessons Taken Total Classes Offered Total Class Participants Instructor Stuart Harper teaching a private swim lesson 596 16,002 3,162 14 West U Parks & Recreation | 2024 Year in Review Senior Services Total Classes Offered 2,756 Total Participants 15,488 Transportation Services: Rides Given 1,314 September Theme Meal - Pizza Pajama Jam 15 West U Parks & Recreation | 2024 Year in Review Rentals Scout House 94 Decks (Off Season) Decks (Peak Season) Pavilion Colonial Park Pool Exclusives 39 104 117 78 Rent one of our facilities! Call TODAY! Colonial Park West End - Case Deck Community Building 202 Judson Deck 3 16 West U Parks & Recreation | 2024 Year in Review Community Events Easter Spring Festival Independence Day Bike Parade & Pool Party Full Moon Fest Christmas Tree Lighting 900 participants 1150 participants 1100 participants 900 participants 17 West U Parks & Recreation | 2024 Year in Review Thank you to our West U residents and supporters of the West U Parks & Recreation Department for giving us another successful year! Need to Call Us? Recreation Center: 713-662-7420 Senior Services: 713-662-5895 Friends of West U Parks: 713-662-7430 Colonial Park Pool: 713-662-7460 Need to talk to specific member of our team? Visit www.westutx.gov/contactparks Want to rent a deck or pavilion? Visit www.westutx.gov/rentals Want access to our Members Only events at Colonial? Get your membership now! Visit www.westutx.gov/reg Recreation Center Community Building/ Senior Services Colonial Park Pool 4210 Bellaire Blvd.6104 Auden St.4130 Byron St. Parks & Recreation Department