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Parks and Trails
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I have always been a big supporter of outdoor recreation, from our
BIG sports park (Five Star) and our smaller neighborhood parks to the entire
trail system, including our incredible shoreline trail. Being about to have places for our youth
and our families to gather and to play is of extreme importance to the
overall health and welfare of our community. After I left City Council, I was appointed by the sitting City
Council to the Board of Directors for The Colony Community Development
Corporation (Type B entity under State law).
The CDC Board is responsible for utilizing the ½ cent sales tax that
was voted into effect many years ago to be used for community development
which includes parks, trails, playgrounds, fishing piers, picnic areas,
etc. It has been a wonderful honor to
serve on this Board, and we have done a LOT to upgrade our parks and
playgrounds, and to expand our City trail system so that it connects our
entire City together, including the new trail under SH121/Sam Rayburn Tollway
to Grandscape, and to Austin Ranch. Our Shoreline Trail is one of the finest amenities that is offered
for recreational activities in our City.
Even when some (including some current Councilmembers) fought against
putting in this Trail, I worked diligently with City staff, with the
residents and with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers to make sure that this
was not only a GREAT trail for our residents to walk, run or bike … but was also
an ecologically friendly and nature enhancing development in our City’s trail
plan. It is now used by hundreds of
people daily, and has been used for City-sponsored
runs and events. Another amenity that was truly an “unpolished gem” was Hidden Cove
Park. As a Councilmember, I was on the
committee that worked to find the best organization to outsource this
partnership. The marina is now a beautiful
place for our residents and non-residents to utilize the lake, and the
camping areas and new cabins have enhanced this park tremendously, so know it
is a recognized gem in the north Texas region. The initial skate park build and the highly-praised
skate park redesign and renovation were also projects that I was involved
with, and am extremely proud to have been a part. It is a fantastic park that is used by so
many of our youth and young adults. And, we continue
as a City (and as the CDC Board) to look to expand and enhance our facilities. This includes the new Splash Park that is
being built by Kids Colony and the planned park and kayak launch being
designed for the Eastvale area of The Colony. I will continue to support these projects that raise the quality of
life for our residents … to give even more opportunity for kids and families
to meet, to play, to grow!! |