Rowlett parks advisory board highlights volunteers, tree canopy and maintenance needs

The Rowlett Parks and Recreation Advisory Board presented its annual activity update to the City Council on Aug. 5, describing volunteer outreach, recurring events and a push for an environmental learning center while pressing for more sustained maintenance funding.

Dolores Henning, chair of the Parks Board, told the council the board currently has nine regular members, two alternate members and one vacancy for an alternate; the board oversees seven committees including an environmental learning center (ELC) committee and an urban forestry/tree committee. "We simply feel it would be a great inclusion as a park amenity that would be available to both local and non local residents," Henning said of the proposed ELC.

The board highlighted a slate of programs intended to boost use of park amenities and ecotourism: monthly wellness hikes (held the second Saturday at 8 a.m.), Paddling with the Parks at Paddle Point Park, a Sand Bass Fishing Tournament in March, Arbor Day tree giveaways (250 native Texas trees last year), Trunk or Treat, Light Up Main Street and the Christmas parade. Henning said board members also supported sports groups that use city parks, including Rowlett Youth Soccer Association, Rowlett USSSA softball and baseball and the Rowlett Hockey League.

Henning cited figures from the 2018 Urban Tree Canopy Study, saying Rowlett had about 340,000 trees valued at roughly $310,000,000 and estimated the city—s trees produce about 5,000 tons of oxygen per year. She urged investment in "professional planning and management" of the tree canopy and parklands to protect those assets and expand the canopy.

Board members and staff also reviewed capital projects and maintenance needs: the board has helped promote bond projects and master-plan updates and advocated for pool-house repairs and renovations and repairs to Kids Kingdom and the Wet Zone. Staff noted Council had appropriated $300,000 for pool-house work, and that completion of some capital work had been delayed in part by staffing shortages.

Staff introduced Brian Jenkins as the new assistant director of Parks and Recreation; Jenkins recently joined Rowlett from positions in Cedar Hill and Grand Prairie. City staff said two crucial hires—a community development director and an assistant director of parks and rec—were necessary to give the city capacity to pursue a citywide tree ordinance and other policy revisions. Staff said the parks master plan was in final draft but needed some edits to reflect organizational changes (for example, moving some maintenance responsibilities to Public Works) and that the new assistant director and an expected planning manager hire should allow staff to finalize the plan "within a relatively short order."

During public comment, resident Dave Hoehl raised maintenance problems at California Park (he described a porta-potty and a dead blue heron left in the park) and said rails on the ADA dock were broken, adding, "Rails can't be broken because that's what keeps wheelchairs from falling into the lake." He also told the council he and a person named Stephanie had filed a grievance that was routed to "TELR," which the board said the city would integrate into project planning as appropriate.

Council members praised the board's work but pressed for a clearer, prioritized roadmap. The presiding official asked the board to return a prioritized list so council could better rank capital needs during upcoming budget deliberations.

The board did not request immediate policy changes at the work session; instead staff and the board laid out next steps: finalize the parks master plan with the incoming planning manager and assistant director, supply a prioritized list of board concerns to the council, and integrate community partners where appropriate. The council thanked the board for the presentation and moved on to other agenda business.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board presentation began at the work session and concluded after council questions; the board will provide follow-up materials to staff and council for the city's capital and budget process.