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Council accepts $60,000 donation from Cullinan Park Conservancy for Cullinan Park phase 3 design
Summary
The council voted 7-0 to accept a $60,000 donation from the Cullinan Park Conservancy toward design of the Cullinan Park Phase 3 "LEAP" nature-play project and approved a budget amendment to add the funds to CIP PK2302.
The Sugar Land City Council on Oct. 21 unanimously accepted a $60,000 donation from the Cullinan Park Conservancy to support Phase 3 design of the Cullinan Park LEAP (Learn, Explore, And Play) project and approved a corresponding budget amendment to CIP PK2302.
Fenling Du, Parks Development Manager, described a long-running partnership between the city and the Conservancy. "Because the park properties belong to the City of Houston and Houston Parks Board, the 2 cities, and also Houston Parks Board signed an interlocal agreement to talk about the park maintenance, operation, and construction," Du said, noting the city annexed the park in January 2016 and that earlier phases were completed in 2019. Du told council the Conservancy previously donated more than $3,440,000 to the city for earlier phases and that the Conservancy has funded phase 3 conceptual design and a prior $390,000 contribution for schematic design.
Du said the proposed Phase 3 LEAP project includes a nature play area with a tree house, interactive play elements, additional trails, and constructed wetlands with boardwalks; the Conservancy’s new $60,000 pledge would fund continued design and construction documentation. Du presented visitation data showing regional use of the park; staff said an estimated 38% of visitors come from Houston, 34% from Sugar Land, and the remainder from other cities or states.
Council member Watley moved to accept the donation and approve the budget amendment; Mayor Pro Tem Rick Miller seconded the motion. Council also thanked the Conservancy, and council members noted earlier philanthropic support including a major initial gift from the George Foundation and the role of Mayor Jimmy Thompson in the park’s annexation. The motion passed 7-0.
