[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6657394,"mediaKeyId","5075354-b725e1c4cd5aaee7f44e388ad14d397d","parentId",5075354,"title","Votes at a glance: Parks committee approves minutes, accepts survey and backs Water Tower Park grant recommendation","audioSeconds",2645,"startMs",237000,"endMs",2882000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075354-b725e1c4cd5aaee7f44e388ad14d397d&start=237&end=2882","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075354-b725e1c4cd5aaee7f44e388ad14d397d/thumbnail_237000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6657394/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Parks-committee-approves-minutes-accepts-survey-and-backs-Water-Tower-Park-grant-recommendation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657394-ee401ca9a670183a2d6426c55e9d8d93/orig.mp4?Expires=1770724139&Signature=jjm~DfOdmLq9oWjnJyCmGJqOmsgRktsD1Mq6c9aUQLwSt8CvwMUJJyiUjgphHjRno0osDUw8TTgv-Aog3WiHDaGMl-ybaZSD0iIPeczyYqLrqZRNl5mAu8Fbptpny8YDELAq5KHNa51u~apuMKBurbnTibaI1ErawooCPxDp6R1SQ4U876NZcTNn6ttcg~O~~ETlUoBuT4985K86bAITLEBzEvuVFP05cfMh17f6NQSEORu3rh761Di15GPim~gF7WRJaGYVOrx~G30~QMxEXsZ8jm8NoZrKyY~kp-vR-ZlwoH1-SQEHo8j5-C4CcR-DKoPcfIfBbLP7sdPU0NIe~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Padre Island","date","2025-06-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Parks & Recreation Committee took several procedural and substantive votes during its meeting.

Minutes and absences: The committee approved the May 21, 2025 regular meeting minutes (agenda item 4.1). The committee also approved excusing absences for Park Committee members Susan Francis, Laurie Coker and Travis Kaeser for the May 21 meeting (agenda item 4.2). The motions were seconded and passed by voice vote; the transcript records \"All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes.\" for both items.

Survey acceptance: The committee accepted the 2025 South Padre Island Parks survey responses (agenda item 4.4). Staff reported 122 total responses and asked the committee to accept the data for use as an addendum to the park master plan and for grant applications. The committee approved acceptance by voice vote.

Grant recommendation: The committee recommended that City Council move forward with submission of a Texas Parks and Wildlife Local Parks Grant application for the city-owned portion of Water Tower Park (agenda item 4.5). The recommendation passed by voice vote; staff said the grant is a 50/50 match and estimated the city's share could be about $150,000 on a roughly $300,000 project.

Yard Landscape winners: The committee awarded the Yard Landscape of the Month for June to selected properties and businesses (agenda item 4.6). Committee members moved, seconded and approved the selected properties by voice vote.

Adjournment: The committee approved a motion to adjourn at the end of the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","South Padre Island - PARKS & KEEP SPI BEAUTIFUL COMMITTEE - Jun 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Parks & Recreation Committee approved May 21, 2025 meeting minutes, excused three absences, accepted the 2025 parks survey, recommended the Water Tower Park grant application to City Council, and approved the June Yard Landscape winners by voice votes.","taxTitle","South Padre , Cameron County, Texas","taxId",57359,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6657399,"Committee recommends City Council apply for TPWD grant to revitalize Water Tower Park",737,1572000,2309000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075354-b725e1c4cd5aaee7f44e388ad14d397d&start=1572&end=2309","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075354-b725e1c4cd5aaee7f44e388ad14d397d/thumbnail_1572000.jpg","/articles/6657399/Texas/Committee-recommends-City-Council-apply-for-TPWD-grant-to-revitalize-Water-Tower-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657399-cdb4e6e801337f67935c110ae60d21cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770724139&Signature=GOPsuTZummID1jzyCLgOrI9q-H7euMvGp2hzC9tWcCIqhRatrZzRbRw~dRrmQMh-SMH1lNvY6NUvXJAM17C9c4gAxZ4oDtxH738Gf5YxN0EWLCU4qQI~qy1ZaytrB-j12YdmQN3sgptwuczZXKjzCrAo3Zfl6Sg4C0i9vxgHUpIWJPUFXRy627TWF0KDbDNSDkBv~IpmAUcpDVqZS~bpNSDVyiKUvdYVvtOjJ6gzpC~-Fn39KFItoLWmnN0OYpnsFJRLyQ~Tz7T8JV10doI41wHRHMzN-xknpDcG~ARuarOn9VcdQ6KjOqlPSsS-1P2HXQKx9zR5tA8pCi1dAHH3lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Parks & Recreation Committee voted to recommend that City Council support submission of a Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) Local Parks Grant application for revitalization of the city-owned portion of Water Tower Park.

Parks and Recreation Manager Debbie Hoffman told the committee TPWD feedback suggested the prior application's inclusion of land not owned in perpetuity complicated the proposal. \"We are going to apply for a grant for just this area, because that's the area that the city owns,\" Hoffman said, explaining the application must be for land that will remain park in perpetuity.

Staff's proposed scope for the city-owned area includes leveling the play surface for accessibility, replacing swings, installing new ground cover (possibly poured-in-place rubber surfacing or turf), resurfacing the basketball court, adding benches and ADA-accessible picnic tables, and smaller shade or seating improvements. Hoffman said some larger pour-in-place options are more expensive, and staff would seek cost-effective shading such as canvas structures if needed.

Committee members raised safety and climate concerns about a very large slide shown in a vendor quote; Hoffman said the manufacturer would remove the 30-foot slide and propose a shorter slide suitable for the local heat conditions. Hoffman said a vendor quote presented that morning included equipment, signage and installation for $272,000 for one playground option, and staff estimated a typical grant project for the site would involve about $300,000 total with a 50/50 split.

Hoffman said the TPWD grant program is 50/50, so the city would need to commit roughly $150,000 as match. She asked the committee to recommend that city council approve moving forward; a committee member moved and the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Hoffman stated that if the committee and council approve, the city would submit the application and return with additional details about scope and signage; she also said signage is not generally eligible for TPWD grant funding and would need separate funding.","The Parks & Recreation Committee recommended the city apply for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Local Parks Grant 2026 to fund a revitalization of the city-owned portion of Water Tower Park, approving staff's recommendation by voice vote. The grant requires a 50/50 match; staff estimated a $150,000 city match on a roughly $300,000 project scope.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6657404,"Committee accepts 2025 South Padre Island parks survey showing nature as top preference",663,887000,1550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075354-b725e1c4cd5aaee7f44e388ad14d397d&start=887&end=1550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075354-b725e1c4cd5aaee7f44e388ad14d397d/thumbnail_887000.jpg","/articles/6657404/Texas/Committee-accepts-2025-South-Padre-Island-parks-survey-showing-nature-as-top-preference","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657404-8bfb4f47c23b1b3667dfbdd8a8914268/orig.mp4?Expires=1770724139&Signature=MbYFrm2CgXjKmYg4LOKcyCuIz4iTjLZHD6qJFFlxy~WTszHB1w0Z0nwBZ1wlBQvG3SMHCvWImmQBCKzrak8sqJeGLLac63NBed8PJuUk-NAeokJLDBcMH44TqUzJg~IoGBLtsAYdoeclX9bQZNE6gXQwR9vhizwd9RtafttD4zajFbMipzroxpOah80VfLNqGr7N3H-DjIWwnK61IVCY6yVeqjtYBJ7vVSLZEOYI42l2ew0Opx4xHzwYJVhgf4CNk9NOPtiV0cMUFi3BIxqCdXPcFf76VQjUK1IG3UYYUiCdZBOTxQaHSKNNNVUmMJRhxI9mL9qEsIG~Ii1mIt2wXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Parks & Recreation Committee voted to accept the results of a 2025 parks survey for South Padre Island, Parks and Recreation Manager Debbie Hoffman said. The survey drew 122 responses collected primarily between June 9 and June 20 (Hoffman left the survey open briefly longer and received a few additional responses). \"Most of the people that filled out the survey do live here on the island,\" Hoffman said.

Hoffman summarized key responses: Butterfly Park and Water Tower Park were the most-visited sites cited; respondents listed \"nature and scenery\" as the top preferred park feature (54 mentions), followed by pickleball courts (18) and playground equipment (18). Skate park received six mentions. When asked about improvements, respondents most often requested shade, a dog park (27 mentions), native trees (24), additional lighting and more pickleball courts.

Hoffman said staff will use the survey to update the park master plan chapter of the comprehensive plan and to support grant applications to Texas Parks and Wildlife; she noted that the current public-facing plan data dated to 2017, and the 2025 responses will be used as a contemporaneous addendum. \"Ultimately, what we'll do is take this information and add it and update our park master plan,\" she said.

Committee members discussed continuing the survey through the summer to capture visitor responses and using QR codes at parks to increase participation. The committee approved acceptance of the survey results by voice vote.","The Parks & Recreation Committee accepted results of a 2025 South Padre Island parks survey (122 responses) that staff will use as an addendum to the park master plan and for future grant applications.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6657408,"Parks staff report new lighting, repairs and upkeep across South Padre Island parks",626,288000,914000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075354-b725e1c4cd5aaee7f44e388ad14d397d&start=288&end=914","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075354-b725e1c4cd5aaee7f44e388ad14d397d/thumbnail_288000.jpg","/articles/6657408/Texas/Parks-staff-report-new-lighting-repairs-and-upkeep-across-South-Padre-Island-parks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657408-02beb46285c2ff8d08f75c6957c3e161/orig.mp4?Expires=1770724139&Signature=jGOvefEDMUo2ctY8v6kdmIs4nC-00MesM07O8YQcpJwq4Olmq5DNiElS5dBx98McgaNAEsjD9nQhv-ECWxLhct7fSzm9dOruHx03gjEBXESQEQ93~s5p6vg0NnOZ2djzwX3PJ-c9WejU8FLYYHC5aeVI~ckEvFKoU2moQmbQEy32vB1yvlFkGKVbPZtYLtsgefvi2s8grWOjbGa~T6SU6Vug6qrdLTSjXhZolw~nEUJ04xbgnbkBMYUak7kKss7hFTSO69Q2jYLN1Gh-40snxmdFYEWrv2gbzFaHUBpXFKfooOMn5hP75Cupbk6MI830T-FrYWRD17LUpLLP6EO~IQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Debbie Hoffman, South Padre Island Parks and Recreation manager, told the Parks & Recreation Committee about recent maintenance and small capital improvements at island parks, including new lighting and electrical access at John L. Tompkins Park and repairs at Turtle Park.

Hoffman said crew members cleaned tar from park surfaces, completed an electrical upgrade under the basketball canopy at John L. Tompkins Park and installed a timed outlet that was used the same week to power a DJ for a National Go Skate Day event. \"They called me at 4 and were like, hey, we need some electrics. I said, it's on the pole, and I got them an extension cord,\" Hoffman said.

Committee members asked whether the new lights change park hours. Hoffman said park hours remain governed by the city's park ordinance (dawn to dusk) and that any extension would require coordination with the police department and possibly a future committee or city council vote. \"That is one of the reasons why we added that...for some safety,\" she said.

Hoffman also reviewed other maintenance work: ongoing weeding and plantings at Butterfly Park, replacement and re-roofing work at the Turtle Park gazebo, general upkeep at Water Tower Park (including a recently installed water fountain), and frequent use of the pickleball courts. She said the city has a reporting portal (pwcaresmysdi.org) that residents can use to request repairs; she noted public works responded within an hour to a reported problem.

On the community garden at Butterfly Park, Hoffman said staff cleaned one community garden box and plan to redraw plots in August. She added that donations from a local donor (Lynn Tate) will fund decorative park pieces that were on the consent agenda at a recent city council meeting.

Committee members thanked staff for the photos and the maintenance work, and discussed minor operational items such as the lights' 60-minute timer and the presence of motion-sensor lighting at other locations.

Looking ahead, Hoffman said staff will bring any proposals that change park hours, add new lighting schedules, or expand facilities back to the committee for further discussion and possible referral to city council.","Parks and Recreation Manager Debbie Hoffman updated the committee on recent maintenance at John L. Tompkins Park, Water Tower Park, Butterfly Park, Turtle Park and pickleball areas, describing new electrical outlets and lights, ongoing repairs and landscaping plans.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Parks committee approves minutes, accepts survey and backs Water Tower Park grant recommendation

Committee recommends City Council apply for TPWD grant to revitalize Water Tower Park

Committee accepts 2025 South Padre Island parks survey showing nature as top preference

Parks staff report new lighting, repairs and upkeep across South Padre Island parks