Staff recommends retaining current DoubleTree splash pad season and maintenance day; board asks staff to track user requests

Parks and Recreation staff reviewed the operating schedule and maintenance demands for the DoubleTree Ranch Park splash pad at the March 17 meeting and recommended keeping the current Memorial Day–Labor Day season with daily hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and a full-day closure on Thursdays for maintenance.

Brian Norton, assistant director, explained the maintenance workload: daily morning and afternoon checks, chemical monitoring and an evening closing that currently requires overtime for a closing staffer; and a thorough weekly maintenance day (Thursday) for backwashing filters, cleaning UV lamps, servicing pump-room strainers and scheduling repairs with contractors when needed. Staff estimated splash-pad maintenance consumes roughly six to eight staff hours per open day.

Board members compared Highland Village’s season and hours to neighboring cities (Lewisville, Flower Mound, Carrollton), which typically have longer seasons and larger dedicated aquatic staffs. Norton and Phil noted Highland Village’s smaller maintenance crew (roughly 15 staff covering all parks and programs) limits the ability to extend the season without additional staffing or overtime costs.

Board members raised two user-focused questions: whether residents want earlier season starts in May or later closing in September, and whether different daily hours would better match user patterns. Staff said the most frequent informal requests have been for an earlier start in May rather than a later close in September, but overall complaints have been limited. Phil suggested staff will record and track every public inquiry about splash-pad hours this summer and report the tally to the board after the season.

Several board members suggested better communications about the Thursday maintenance closure — for example, a short social-media post or a behind-the-scenes video showing maintenance steps — to reduce confusion when visitors unexpectedly find the splash pad closed. Staff also pointed to upcoming minor feature additions at the splash pad this season.

The board took no formal vote; members said the current schedule appears to balance water-quality and maintenance obligations with public demand. The board asked staff to capture summer feedback and bring a summary to a future meeting before considering permanent schedule changes.