Missouri City staff update board on Freedom Tree, Staymo Sports Park replat and other park projects

During the Aug. 7 Missouri City Parks Board meeting, staff provided progress reports on several capital and bond-funded park projects.

Parks staff said work at the Freedom Tree site is active and fully fenced; crews relocated a smaller "baby" Freedom Tree so it will be the centerpiece of a family play zone. The contractor and sculptor remain engaged and staff said they are hopeful for a spring opening but noted unusually heavy summer rain has delayed concrete and other exterior work.

Staff reported Staymo Sports Park was recently replatted (the project went from six parcels to a consolidated plat), which cleared a permitting hurdle. Staff are coordinating with utility districts and expect to advertise the project for bid this fall. Staff said they plan to contract playground equipment directly with manufacturers to preserve budget flexibility for playgrounds, splash pads, field lighting and a pump track.

At Bicentennial Park, staff said playground installation is complete and the contractor will add shade sails, new benches, picnic tables, grills and solar lighting; that work was expected to start within two to three weeks and take roughly the same amount of time to complete. Staff also announced a public input session and an online survey for East Hampton Parkland and said staff attended HOA meetings to promote the event.

Board members asked for site plans, confirmation that a cricket field remained in St. Paul Park plans and discussed procurement methods for playground equipment; staff said using purchasing cooperatives and buying directly from manufacturers can reduce costs by an estimated 30 percent compared with contractor markups.

No permits, contract awards or construction bids were approved at the meeting; the reports were informational.