DIRECTOR’S REPORT FOR MONTHS OF
AUGUST – OCTOBER 2009

 

 

DEVELOPMENT:

 

·         Brindley Trail – Taking bids for granite trail extension to trailhead from main trail around meadow. Greater Houston off Road Biking Association trail steward and one volunteer performed 4 hours of trail maintenance on October 25.

 

·         Finance Committee meeting discussing the Community/Civic/Parks Foundation on October 27.

 

·         90A Landscape Beautification – On going.  Sidewalk being installed.  Trees going in along Hwy. 6 and 90A. Bed preparation in progress. Marking locations of 12 trees that had to be field relocated.

 

·         First Colony Park Improvements – Received 50% drawings for review.  Consultant working on 90% construction documents submitted.

 

·         Imperial/ Eldridge Park Trail – Received 95% drawings for review. 

 

·         Brook Street Trail – 60% construction documents set submitted for review.

 

·         Gannoway Lake Park – Reviewed plan comments with Shashi Kumar.

 

·         Hwy, 59 Phase III – Reviewing drawing from consultant.  Consultant working on 90% construction documents submitted. 

 

·         Sugar Land Memorial Park Phase 1A – Ongoing weekly meetings and progress tracking. Fine tuning dog park items and addressing turf issue. Hydro-mulch and Over-seeding took place last week. Meeting on site to assess turf options.  Will consider sod in high traffic areas. 

 

·         Skate Park Pavilion Rehabilitation – Renovation of the pavilion structure scheduled for October 20-30. Updating web site and signage to announce temporary closure of Skate Park for construction starting soon.  Pavilion renovation in progress.  Skate ramp repair complete.

 

·         Brooks Street Trail – 60% Construction documents set submitted for review. Reviewed comments and next steps with consultant.

 

·         New employee joined the Maintenance Division on October 19th - Mr. Barry Walter, Field Supervisor.  Barry came to us from New Territory.

 

·         Completed Parks transition plan and working on implementation.  Erle is reporting to Matlage Way office starting this week. Darren Bullock’s (Right of Way) Manager transition from Public Works to Park & Recreation Department.

·         Brazos River Park Ph II – Internal review of SWA submittal. Met with consultant to review comments and next steps.

 

·         River Park Annexation Town Hall Meeting. Received request for Playground development at MUD Park.  Investigating if MUD funds can be allocated to a Parks CIP account.

 

·         Received quote for additional playground equipment for Covington West Park.

 

·         Trees Across Sugar Land – Coordination with Keep Sugar Land Beautiful on installing 300 5-gallon live oak trees and mulch along Oyster Creek/Lost Creek Park on October 24.  January 30th seedling planting planed around Pawn Springs Dog Park at Sugar Land Memorial Park.  Keep Sugar Land Beautiful in partnership with The City of Sugar Land recently received the 2009 Gold Leaf Landscape Beautification Award for a commitment to community forestry through the “Trees Across Sugar Land” program.

 

·         20,000 Park maps have been printed and will be distributed to the public at city events.

 

·         Staff met with surrounding cities on Brazos Paddling Trail and will present status of canoe launch sites to Fort Bend Green in October or November.

 

·         Staff submitted Houston Galveston Area Council award nomination for Hike and Bike Trail Master Plan.

 

·         Recreation Center – City Council awarded bid for construction on November 3, 2009.

 

·         Community Forestry Award presented at Council Recognition on November 3rd.

 

·         Kimberly will man a booth at Prairie Heritage Day at Brazos Bend State Park on Saturday, November 7th from 10a.m. to 4 p.m. The booth will focus on the City’s Brazos River Park, reforestation efforts and the importance of habitat for wildlife as well as the connections to the Sam Houston Trail and future Brazos paddling trail.

 

 

RECREATION DIVISION:

 

·         Mr. Brandon Jackson, Senior Secretary started August 3rd.  Brandon came to us from the City of Houston.

 

·         Senior Summer Bash was held on August 11th – 59 participants; First Colony Lion’s Club donated hot dogs, buns and snow cones to the event.

 

·         Swim lessons have exceeded revenue projections as have field rentals and pavilion rentals this summer.

 

·         Day Camp and Sports Camps brought in over $95,000 in revenue.

 

·         8-Ball Pool Tournament for seniors was held on September 3rd.

·         Ms. Jigyna Patel joined the Events Production Management Team as a part-time Recreation Specialist on September 8th.

 

·         9-Ball Pool Tournament for seniors was held on September 29th.

 

·         Houston Museum of Natural Science ribbon cutting was held on September 30.

 

·         The seniors participated in the Wii Bowling Tournament that was held at the Reliant Stadium on October 1st.

 

·         Brindley Trail and Pawm Springs Dog Park Opening at Sugar Land Memorial Park was a tremendous success even with the weather conditions on October 10, 2009.

 

·         Special Event Team met with Radio Disney Station Manager to discuss possible involvement in future City events.

 

·         Young at Heart Health Fair and Senior Expo was held on October 14th with over 60 vendors in attendance. 

 

·         City staff participated in Texas Dragon Boat Regatta on October 17th and 18th at Brooks Lake near Fluor in Sugar Land.

 

·         Seniors International pot luck luncheon was held on October 21.

 

·         Special Events Team working on Halloween Town, Cultural Kite Festival, Christmas Tree Lighting, 50th Anniversary/ New Year’s Eve events.

 

·         Heather met with IT to discuss equipment needs and placement in the Recreation Center on October 27.

 

·         The Recreation Coordinators are working on the Monster Mash and the Senior Holiday Gala events.

 

·         Sandy and Heather attending the Gulf Coast Leadership Development Conference on Thursday and Friday, November 5th & 6th.

 

·         River Park resident status changes effective December 1 (annexation).

 

·         The Senior Center offered these activities August – October:

a.       Splash Days at City Park Pool

b.      Numerous Movies (Summer, Pirate & Halloween themed)

c.       Celebrated Birthdays

d.      Played Bingo and Bunko

e.       Enjoyed many Pot Luck Luncheons

f.       Offered Health Chats

g.      Fire Safety Chats

h.      Legal Chats

i.        Genealogy Chats

j.        Identity Theft Chats with Better Business Bureau and Sugar Land Police Department

k.      Recycling Chats

 

·         Senior Field Trips August - October: 

a.       Paragon Casino – 50 participants on August 19th & 20th.

b.      Fishing trip to Galveston – 15 participants on September 16th.

c.       Sequin, Texas – True Texas Women Tour on September 23rd.

d.      Day trip to Co-Cathedral – 28 participants including 10 from Silverado Senior Living Home on October 7th.

e.       Newman’s Castle trip in Bellville, Texas on October 10th.

 

 

          Looking Ahead:

o   Thursday, October 29 – Senior Monster Mash – Sugar Land Community Center.

o   Saturday, October 31 – Halloween Town at Town Square.

o   Thursday, December 3 – Christmas Tree Lighting at Town Square.

o   Thursday, December 10 – Senior Holiday Gala – Sugar Land Community Center.

o   Thursday, December 31 – 50th Anniversary of Sugar Land’s Incorporation.