Sugar Land 4B board hears parks updates, approves budget committee appointments

The Sugar Land 4B Corporation on May 20 heard an extensive parks update from staff and approved appointments to its fiscal‑year 2026–27 budget committee.

"I really appreciate the opportunity... and lead the team for some of the parks projects," said Fund Du, the parks customer manager, who introduced engineers, maintenance and recreation staff and summarized five active 4B‑funded projects.

Why it matters: the 4B board’s sales‑tax revenues fund tourism‑and‑visitor amenity projects that the city says drive more frequent park use and create event and rental revenue for facilities. Staff emphasized completed investments and near‑term construction that will affect park visitation and programming across Sugar Land.

Completed and recently completed projects

Staff highlighted a custom shade structure at Brazil Park funded with $25,000 in 4B support. Fund Du said staff observed an estimated 17.9% increase in visits in the 12 months after the structure’s installation, and that the playground received regional media attention.

A small butterfly garden pavilion, completed for about $55,000 with design work done largely in‑house, incorporated a 300‑gallon rain barrel funded by the utilities department and public art funded through the civic arts program; staff said the project won a state parks and natural areas award in the under‑$500,000 category.

Imperial Park received a large shade/gathering structure staff said is being used by joggers, softball and disc golf players and — by staff’s count — was associated with roughly a 22.4% increase in visits year‑over‑year. Staff cited direct user feedback from local leagues praising the new features.

IPRC build‑out and membership changes

Staff described work at the IPRC recreation center: conversion of an underused meeting room to an indoor gym (completed), plus planned outdoor fitness, turf and shade improvements. Staff noted the resident membership fee was increased from $12.75 to $50; initial membership sales in early 2026 were similar to the prior year, and staff told the board first‑quarter tracking of facility use rose about 61% over the prior year.

T. Harman senior center feasibility study

A consultant study funded with a $100,000 resolution produced three scenarios for the T. Harman senior center: (A) renovate and add to the existing building (most cost‑effective but requires temporary relocation during construction); (B) a new one‑story building on adjacent property owned by the city; and (C) a larger two‑story building that would allow future expansion but is the most expensive. Staff reported about 570 resident survey responses. Fund Du told the board preliminary cost estimates for the scenarios range from about $19 million to $27 million and that no formal funding plan has been established; the final study will be presented to City Council at a June workshop.

Sugar Land Memorial Park splash pad

Staff recapped prior design funding of $85,000 and a construction funding resolution of $892,824 for the Sugar Land Memorial Park splash pad. Kala, the project manager, said the contractor’s bid came in below budget and construction is underway following a February notice to proceed. Staff said they recently approved a grading change order and are working to preserve trail access and public safety during construction. Staff emphasized accessible features such as a water table for wheelchair users.

LG (Eldridge) Park and CIP planning

Staff said a consultant reached 90% construction documents for LG Park (master plan items include parking, artificial turf and playground improvements) and that $1.8 million is currently listed in the city CIP as a placeholder for Eldridge Park construction; staff will return next month to finalize base scope, alternates and bonding timing.

Imperial Farm Cemetery restoration

Staff reviewed a multi‑phase restoration (initial funding ~ $150,000) that included gravestone repairs by a Texas specialist, fence repairs, fabrication of a replacement gate by in‑house welders, archival research compiled by Kimberly Terrell and plans for interpretive signage and an online cemetery listing on the city site to help visitors learn who is buried there.

Board business and motions

The board approved corrected minutes (the minutes were amended to list meetings of Nov. 19, 2025; Dec. 17, 2025; and Jan. 21, 2026) and unanimously approved appointing Allan and Mary as the two non–council 4B directors to serve on the FY27 budget committee. No recorded roll‑call vote counts or mover/second names were provided in the transcript.

Questions from board members

Board members asked whether T. Harman funding would be bonds or CIP funds; staff reiterated the $19–$27 million cost range and said a funding plan would be developed later, with costs updated before any voter measure or formal request. Members also flagged inconsistent membership numbers on presentation slides; staff said they would verify and correct those figures when the item returns to council.

What’s next

Staff said the final T. Harman study will go to the City Council workshop in June and that splash pad construction is expected to finish in time for a late‑summer or early‑fall ribbon cutting. The board’s June meeting may be rescheduled to avoid FIFA World Cup watch‑party conflicts.