Parks director: Meadowbrook management changes, 12 walking-trail projects, new pickleball courts and busy splash pads

Colby Van Gundy, Lubbock’s parks and recreation director, said the city assumed a management role at Meadowbrook Golf Course on Jan. 1 and has invested in clubhouse remodeling, new carts and a renovated pro shop.

Van Gundy said construction is beginning on walking trails at 12 parks (two per council district), that two new pickleball facilities opened in November and draw players daily, and that splash pads opened in early July with daily attendance averaging more than 840 people on warm days.

Why it matters: Parks improvements and recreation amenities are part of the city’s quality-of-life investments and were included in parks planning and bond discussions noted elsewhere in the address.

Key details - Meadowbrook: City shifted to a management-company model on Jan. 1; staff described clubhouse work, new pro shop and fleet upgrades. - Walking trails: Construction started on trails for 12 parks (two per council district); Van Gundy said these address a top request from the parks master plan and are expected in place by early summer. - Recreation amenities: Two new pickleball courts opened in November and are regularly used by a broad age range; splash pads opened in early July and drew average daily attendance figures above 840 on warm days.

Statements and attribution - Colby Van Gundy (Parks and Recreation Director) presented details on Meadowbrook, walking trails, pickleball courts and splash pads.

Context and next steps Van Gundy said trail construction and facility improvements will continue through the coming months and are meant to increase access to outdoor recreation citywide.

Ending Parks upgrades were presented as investments in resident quality of life; no council votes were recorded during the address.