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Parks commission approves staff-led site review for Eagle Scout bat house at Anton Schumann Park
Summary
The Converse Parks and Recreation Commission amended a prior approval so city staff can work with an Eagle Scout and his parent to choose an alternate site for a proposed bat house at Anton Schumann Park, citing public-safety concerns about proximity to trails and state rabies-testing rules.
The Converse Parks and Recreation Commission voted to amend a prior approval so city staff may work with an Eagle Scout and his parent to find an alternate location for a proposed bat house at Anton Schumann Park.
The change was prompted by a presentation from Joel Skidmore, animal services manager for the city’s animal care services, who said the department “is not anti bat house” but wanted the commission to be aware of public-safety and testing requirements related to bats. Skidmore told commissioners that bats are a leading vector species for rabies in Texas and that state procedure requires testing of animals suspected in a human exposure.
The commission discussed the proposed placement near a trailhead and whether moving the structure farther from the trail — while avoiding putting it closer to nearby houses — could reduce the chance of public contact. Skidmore said staff had already discussed alternate locations with the scout’s parent and proposed that parks staff and the scout settle on a new site together before forwarding the project to city council.
A motion to amend the prior approval to “include wording that allows for city personnel to help find a new location for the bat house” passed by voice vote; commissioners answered “Aye” to the chair’s request for approval and no opposition was recorded. The commission also discussed adding an interpretive sign to inform park users not to handle bats and how to respond to an encounter with a grounded bat.
The amendment directs parks staff to identify potential alternate sites and then advance the project to the City Council for final approval. The commission did not adopt development standards or a formal placement map at the meeting.
Parks Director Keith Taylor (speaking in the meeting) and staff were identified as the departments that will work with the scout and his parent on siting. The commission requested that staff weigh trail proximity, neighborhood proximity and public-safety messaging when proposing locations.
The commission’s action was procedural: it did not authorize building or installation at a specific site; those decisions remain subject to the staff-site selection and City Council review.
Ending: The commission’s amendment aims to balance support for the Eagle Scout project with precautions recommended by Animal Care Services and state testing procedures; any final installation will require council approval and the staff-selected location will be shared with the commission and the public in a future update.
