Parks advisory board divides 19 parks among seven members for annual visits

Members of the Highland Village Parks and Recreation Advisory Board agreed March 17 to divide responsibility for annual park visitation and user outreach across the city’s 19 parks. The board will use a short one-page survey card to capture visitor feedback, basic appearance and safety observations, and optional notes or photos.

The process is intended to be light-touch: each assigned board member will visit their parks at least once a year, speak briefly with park users, record whether visitors are Highland Village residents and note what people most enjoy about each park. The back of the card captures the board member’s assessment of overall appearance, curb appeal and safety concerns, including lighting and sightlines. The board asked members to complete visits and submit cards to the Parks office or bring them to the next meeting; photos may be emailed to supplement paper forms.

Board members said the exercise is not a detailed maintenance inspection but an opportunity to connect with users and capture impressions that staff can use in planning and public outreach. The board noted special factors at certain sites — for example, Copperas Branch Park’s current primary value is the boat ramp pending a master plan; Lakeside Community Park has been thinned and pruned to improve sightlines consistent with CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design).

At the meeting the board distributed cards and assigned parks by volunteer sign-up. Assignments announced at the meeting included Unity Park (with the dog park) to Patrick Finch; Brazos Park and Bruce Lockhart Lions Club Park to Ryan (last name not specified in transcript); Sellmeier Tennis and Pickleball area to another member near that neighborhood; and a roster of the remaining parks covering DoubleTree Ranch Park, Pilot Knoll, Lakeside, Silverthorn and others. The board will track submissions and Phil (Director of Parks and Recreation) said he will compile the inspection reports into a spreadsheet and bring highlights to the board before May to inform budget discussions.

Board members requested flexibility: volunteers may visit additional parks beyond their assignment, and staff will print extra cards if members want to gather more feedback. Phil asked that board members submit paper forms at meetings or the office and optionally email photos to staff.

The board also confirmed a modest timeline: complete visits between the meeting date and May so staff can use findings while finalizing next fiscal-year budget priorities. Phil said the information will be used for outreach and to highlight items that may require follow-up, such as capital needs that would be considered in bond planning or budget amendments.

Members emphasized user engagement over technical inspection: when talking with park users, members should ask whether they are Highland Village residents, what they enjoy most about the park and record observable conditions such as activity level, trash or overflowing receptacles, lighting at night, and general safety impressions. The form’s notes field is for supplementary comments and requests from users.

The board will revisit the program after it collects the surveys and staff compiles results into a summary spreadsheet. That summary is intended to support, not replace, staff-maintenance records and formal asset inspections.