The Converse Parks and Recreation Commission voted Jan. 6 to approve its 2025 events calendar, setting dates, locations and basic program templates for five flagship community events.

The adopted schedule calls for an Easter egg hunt and "Movies in the Park" on April 5 at North Park beginning at 6 p.m.; a free fishing day at North Park on June 7 beginning at 7 a.m.; a backpack giveaway and back-to-school fun run at North Park on Aug. 2 starting at 9 a.m.; a Movies in the Park night at City Park in September (time and exact date to be listed as 7 p.m. in the commission summary); and a trunk-or-treat, costume contest and movie night at North Park on Oct. 24 beginning at 7 p.m. The Oct. 24 costume contest prizes were set at Walmart gift cards of $25, $15 and $10 for first, second and third place. The commission also set a schedule for the annual holiday lights contest: applications available Nov. 24, applications due Dec. 8, judging Dec. 12 and prize distribution the following day. Prizes for the holiday contest were set as H‑E‑B gift cards of $150, $100 and $75 for first, second and third place.

The motion, introduced and read aloud by Vice Chair Stephanie Haley, outlined the event list and templates (locations, approximate start times and the standard food/snacks package). "I move to have the future events and dates for 2025," Haley said while reading the calendar; member Orlando Crews seconded the motion. The commission approved by voice vote; individual roll-call votes were not recorded in the meeting transcript.

Commission discussion before the vote focused on scheduling details and operational items. Members confirmed North Park as the primary site for multiple events and City Park for the September movie night. Staff and commissioners discussed a standard food/snack template to be used across events (examples named during the meeting: pickles, chips, water, Capri Suns and small packaged cookies) and asked staff to include date, location, start time and food in the quarterly newsletter listing.

Safety and staffing were raised as implementation items. Assistant City Manager Naina Nixon Mendez and other commissioners noted that events held on the same date as larger city-sponsored activities (for example trunk-or-treat) can receive police coverage automatically; commissioner remarks said that events scheduled on Saturdays may require additional police services if expected attendance exceeds typical levels. On the free fishing day (June 7), commissioners discussed the Texas annual free-fishing day and whether the commission should treat that day as a formal city event (with sign-ups/security) or simply promote it to residents. Staff said they would consult the police department about expected attendance and security needs.

Commissioners also discussed programming ideas for other parks, especially Schuman Park, including guided walks, gardening workshops, pollinator-focused events and small fitness or yoga classes. A representative for a pollinator group had expressed interest in a Schuman Park program; commissioners asked staff to follow up and explore partnerships.

The calendar will be published in the city quarterly newsletter and on the city’s usual channels, and staff said they will add event details to the city calendar and return to the commission with operational specifics (backpack counts, volunteer needs and any security requirements) as dates approach.

The motion as approved is administrative: it sets event dates and basic templates for the 2025 season. No additional appropriations or contracts were authorized at the meeting; commissioners indicated that some events or prizes will be paid from the parks events budget or coordinated with community partners and sponsors.