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Parks and zoo crews report cold-weather damage and staff updates; director outlines prairie-grass initiative
Summary
Parks staff reported ash-tree removals, rink maintenance and a broken water meter affecting zoo exhibits after an extreme cold spell; staff expect repairs by the end of the week. The director noted an $11,000 donation for player shelters, a new zoo assistant was hired, and a prairie-grass pilot is planned for future years.
Parks staff updated the committee on winter operations and recent incidents. Crews completed major work at Bray Park and removed ash trees along Pecan Parkway; staff set ice rinks and expected them to melt around Valentine's Day. A major water-meter failure during a recent extreme cold weekend damaged pipes feeding the bison yard and wolf exhibit; staff said they will turn water on at the street after repairs and expect to finish by the end of the week, with hand-watering of pastures in the interim.
Cemetery staff reported four burials in January and January revenues of $9,580. Parks staff introduced new zoo assistant Becky Gesco, who is in her second week and will move to full-time hours for the summer season.
Director Justin reported that Bray Park softball dugouts are awaiting final work, the McCurran family donated about $11,000 for player shelters (pending Board of Works approval), and he and colleagues attended the WPA conference where staff received a 25-year service award. Justin also described an initiative to establish prairie-grass plantings in select city areas (retention ponds, boulevards) to reduce mowing and improve pollinator habitat; staff said the project will require planning and a multi-year roll-out that could begin in 2027.
Next steps: complete meter repairs and player-shelter procurement, return to Board of Works as needed, and develop a prairie-grass implementation plan for future consideration.
