Colleyville presents parks and recreation inventory, says demand outstrips space for some programs

Lisa Escobedo, Colleyville's director of parks and recreation, told the City Council at its work session that the department oversees more than 270 acres of parks and public property and a broad mix of facilities and programs.

Escobedo said the department has 26 full-time and six part-time employees divided among four divisions: the senior center, recreation, beautification and park maintenance. "The Colleyville Parks and Recreation department consists of the following: over 270 acres of parkland and public property, 14 parks, 1 recreation center that consists of 2 gymnasiums and 3 indoor pickleball courts, 1 senior center, 7 baseball fields and 4 softball fields, 8 batting cages, 26 soccer fields ... 9 splash pads, 9 playgrounds," she said.

The update outlined core services including park and facility maintenance, athletic-field maintenance and trail-system upkeep. Escobedo said the maintenance team handles mowing, fertilization and aeration on athletic fields at City Park and Pleasant Run, and the beautification crew maintains medians, roundabouts and other public right-of-way features.

She described year-round coordination with youth sports associations for practices, games and tournaments, and summarized recreation programming for all ages: youth dance and martial-arts classes, adult fitness such as yoga and Zumba, tennis and pickleball instruction, leagues and seasonal camps. Escobedo also outlined special events the department runs, including a family-focused winter ball, an Easter "bunny brunch" and a Texas Junior Anglers event at the Colleyville Nature Center.

On services for older residents, Escobedo said the senior center serves people beginning at age 50 with health and wellness classes, lunch-and-learn events, a Meals on Wheels program (first and third Friday each month) and organized trips to regional destinations. She said demand is high: "We have such a long waiting list. We've added more trips to our schedule."

Council members and the mayor praised park cleanliness and field conditions during public remarks, with one council member saying, "the fields look great," and another noting quick repairs to tennis nets and clean restrooms.

The presentation was informational; council members did not take formal action during the work session. Staff said they would return with any budget or agenda items related to capital projects or program changes as necessary.