Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Partnerships topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Park board hears presentation from Bridge Lacrosse; staff to pursue multi‑year site agreement and maintenance work
Summary
Bridge Lacrosse described year‑round programs for Southern Dallas youth and asked the Dallas Park and Recreation Department for field improvements and a multi‑year agreement at J.C. Valpar Park. Staff said routine maintenance items could be scheduled for the next fiscal year and that larger items such as lighting would require additional funding.
Dallas Park and Recreation Board members heard a presentation April 3 from Bridge Lacrosse — a nonprofit sports‑based youth development program — on its work serving Southern Dallas and requested park maintenance and a multi‑year use agreement for its home at J.C. Valpar Park.
The nonprofit’s executive director, David Higbee, told the board Bridge Lacrosse runs year‑round lacrosse programming, academic support and college‑readiness activities for more than 800 youth across Southern Dallas. Higbee said the group is the primary user of J.C. Valpar Park and uses the site more than 300 hours a year; Bridge Lacrosse has invested about $15,000 in improvements to the field and facilities, he said.
Staff and board members discussed a tiered plan of proposed upgrades Bridge Lacrosse requested: storage on site, improved field maintenance and aeration, additional lighting for evening use, permanent water fountains or a solar water system, and better restroom/porta‑john facilities. John D. Jenkins, director of Dallas Park and Recreation, said staff can complete many of the lower‑cost maintenance items in the coming fiscal year but that lighting and larger infrastructure changes will require separate funding.
Board members praised the organization’s work and discussed partnership options. Board Member Connor called Bridge Lacrosse “a model we could replicate,” and said partnering with nonprofit operators could let parks focus on core services while community groups manage program delivery. Board Member Dickey suggested the department review availability at MoneyGram Park as an additional, high‑quality field option for tournaments and larger events.
Renee Johnson, who introduced the organization on behalf of parks staff, said the department plans to pursue a multi‑year agreement to formalize Bridge Lacrosse’s use of J.C. Valpar Park and will coordinate with maintenance to schedule the identified upgrades. Jenkins said the plan is to address the lower‑cost maintenance items first and return to the board with potential contract or agreement language; larger items such as permanent lighting will be considered as part of capital funding requests.
The board did not take a formal vote on the partnership during the meeting; members asked staff to develop a formal management agreement and cost estimates for the requested improvements for future consideration.
Bridge Lacrosse’s presentation included examples of student outcomes, college placements and alumni engagement; staff and several board members noted that the program’s combination of athletics, academic supports and exposure to higher‑education opportunities aligned with the department’s community objectives.
