Heath Park Board adopts donation policy, approves Town Center Park grant projects and moves forward on entry monument
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Summary
At its Feb. 2 meeting the Heath Park Board adopted a formal donations policy and donor pricing menu, approved staff recommendations for a $150,000 Texas Parks & Wildlife directed grant for Town Center Park (donor garden and restroom upgrades), endorsed a 51-foot entry monument concept and advanced sponsorship projects including an outfield fence.
The Heath Park Board on Feb. 2 adopted a city donation policy and a donor-pricing menu, approved use of a $150,000 state appropriation for Town Center Park, and moved ahead with several sponsorship projects and design concepts for park amenities.
The board approved a draft donation policy intended to standardize reviews, naming-rights terms, financial safeguards and city ownership of donated assets. Chelsea, a parks staff member, told members the policy will require city council final approval and aims to protect the city "and our assets" if donations are not completed on schedule.
The board also voted to accept staff's recommendation to use the $150,000 directed grant for Town Center Park. Staff proposed two candidate projects: a donor recognition garden (estimated $65,000–$70,000) and a restroom renovation/expansion (estimate $76,000). Chelsea said the appropriation is a special directed award and does not require a local matching contribution; staff will submit a resolution and project scope to the legislature's administering agency as part of the acceptance process.
Separately, the board unanimously approved a long-term concept for a northern City of Heath entry monument — a 51-foot sailboat feature shown in the meeting packet — and agreed to pursue updated pricing and next steps. Members also approved a PATH sponsorship project to install an outfield fence at Town Center Park baseball field and authorized PATH fund allocation to front-load construction costs while sponsor pledges are collected.
Finance director Jay Harris presented first-quarter parks financials and said about $1.2 million is already committed to Town Center Park from earlier council action, leaving roughly $269,000 currently available in the park CIP fund. Harris also noted a $200,000 committed donation toward pickleball courts and a pavilion.
The board heard an informational presentation on a no-cost Cook Children's partnership to install a loaner life-jacket station at Terry Park; Cook Children's would provide USCG‑approved jackets and replace them annually while the city would perform weekly inspections and retain governmental immunity for liability. The meeting closed with discussion about creating a process for trail inspections and quick repairs; a master asset map is expected at the next meeting.
Votes at a glance - Approval of Dec. 15, 2025 minutes: motion by Bill, second by Ben; passed unanimously. - Acceptance of $150,000 Texas Parks & Wildlife directed grant for Town Center Park (donor garden and restroom): motion by Joe, second by David; passed unanimously. - Approval of Veterans Memorial on donated or city-owned land (flexibility to change site while fundraising): motion by Joe, second by Bill; passed unanimously. - Approval of 51-foot sailboat northern entry monument concept: motion by Bill, second by Ben; passed unanimously. - Adoption of Parks & Trails and City of Heath donation policy: motion by Veil, second by David; passed unanimously. - Approval of Town Center Park donor-pricing/menu: motion by Ben, second by Joe; passed unanimously. - Approval of PATH outfield fence project and associated PATH fund allocation: motion by Bill, second by Ben; passed unanimously.
What’s next: staff will return with finalized scopes, designs and resolution language for council where required, updated cost estimates for the entry monument, and marketing materials to support PATH fundraising.
