Parks director reports staff promotions, maintenance work, wayfinding signs, senior-center plan update and pickleball project

Parks and Recreation Director Kimberly Harrell delivered the Director's Report at the Jan. 14 meeting, highlighting personnel moves, maintenance operations, wayfinding signage, volunteer projects and capital work in planning.

Staffing and recognition: Harrell introduced Brianna Williams as the new assistant director for recreation and events and praised park employees who rendered emergency aid at field events and responding to accidents. She cited employee training ("Stop the Bleed") and part-time employee awards.

Maintenance and volunteer efforts: staff have completed wildflower seeding at Brazos River Park with donated seed and volunteer labor; Cullinan Park boardwalk and Oyster Creek fountain work were performed; Monarch Pledge recognition continues for habitat work and the city's butterfly garden remains a volunteer-maintained amenity.

Wayfinding and signage: Harrell said a seven-sign vehicle wayfinding project to direct drivers to Memorial Park and Brazos River Park features was under bid and that bids were due the week following the meeting; staff expect to present a low qualified bidder to council for summer implementation.

Senior Center master plan: Harrell reported a change in preferred site. A previously studied 65-acre Telfair site was found incompatible with airport constraints; staff are now evaluating options at the existing T. E. Harman Center site and will bring proposals to the board in coming months.

Pickleball courts and other capital work: Harrell said the city expects to convert four City Park tennis courts into four pickleball courts, funded by Sugar Land 4B, with a project budget cited at $173,000; Public Works will perform some site prep in-house and the department will solicit bids for construction. Harrell said staff will return with a construction timeline when bidding is complete.

GOA (Go Ape) operations: Harrell said the operator's temporary office trailer will be replaced with two permanent cladded trailers (office/retail and equipment storage) and that the operator has pledged to remove the temporary trailer by late winter; staff will monitor trash pickup and site condition.

Operational caution for weather: Harrell said some open-air park restrooms will be closed during an anticipated hard freeze this week to avoid pipe breaks and that social-media notices and door signage will be used to notify the public; restrooms with heated facilities will remain open.

Harrell closed by noting farmers-market activations, fitness-center progress and awards the department has won for events and websites.