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Schertz presents FY 2023–24 parks and recreation annual report; EDC funds soccer lights
Summary
City staff told the council the parks and recreation department secured multiple grants and private funding, including a $12 million Economic Development Corporation allocation for soccer field lights; department reported growth in programs, volunteers and facility rentals.
Schertz City Council received the Parks and Recreation Department’s FY 2023–24 annual report, which catalogued expansions in programming, volunteer service and capital projects and identified several grant awards and EDC funding.
The report, presented by Parks staff, said the department now staffs 21 full‑time employees, employs seasonal and part‑time staff for programming, and counted more than 250 volunteers who support events and youth athletics; including affiliated youth associations the report estimated volunteer contribution at roughly 22,000 hours. The department manages about 457 acres of parkland and reported 995 civic‑center bookings in the year covered.
City staff emphasized new and ongoing capital work. The report lists a Texas Parks and Wildlife local parks grant awarded for Hilltop Park, an AMPO grant for the West Deats Creek Trail project, and a $12,000,000 Economic Development Corporation allocation cited as funding soccer field lights; staff said the EDC funds will contribute to the soccer lights project and help with Hilltop Park improvements. Staff also described completed park improvements including shade structures at Cypress Point Park, a senior center garden addition and land acceptance for Hilltop Phase 1.
The presentation highlighted expanded recreation programming: the city hired seasonal recreation instructors, growing attendance at its Parks & Rec Month from about 300 to roughly 1,200 participants and doubling attendance at Movies in the Park. Staff noted increasing interest in pickleball — the department hosted its first tournament and first league — and rollout of new programs such as a murder‑mystery event that sold out with a wait list.
Council members praised staff. “Great job with parks and recs. You guys are always doing good stuff,” Council member Brown said during discussion. Other council members thanked the department for professional development and noted the difficulty of managing 27 parks.
Staff said they added financial transparency to the annual report after a request from the Parks Advisory Board: the report now includes budget expenses and revenues by division, intended to give committee members and residents a clearer sense of spending.
The council took no formal action on the report; staff said the department will continue work on Hilltop Park and the project pipeline presented in the master plan.
Ending: The department plans to return to the council as projects reach design and construction milestones; staff asked council to note the report as an informational update and to continue supporting grant and EDC funding efforts.
