FY18-19 | Fourth Quarter Report

Denton Parks and Rec FY18-19 | Fourth Quarter Report Prepared by Gary Packan, Director This report covers items relative to the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2018-2019.

If an item was overlooked, please email the item and related details to gary.packan@cityofdenton.com, so it can be identified in the next report.

Park Updates, Playground Installations & More

Vela Grand Opening

North Lakes Dog Park

NEW | The Nook at Quakertown Park Park's Landscape Architect Glenn McLain designed a small reading and performance nook for Quakertown Park adjacent to the library.

The Noon Rotary Club is currently fundraising for this new facility and we hope to start construction next year.

The Nook

Goats at Lake Forest Park

Nette Shultz Park

NEW | Vela Grand Opening Aug. 31, staff hosted the Grand Opening of the G. Roland Vela Athletic Complex and partnered with FC Dallas to offer fun family activities.

NEW | Goats at Work Beginning Sept. 23, the Parks and Recreation Department started a pilot program employing goats for vegetation removal at Lake Forest Park. This pilot program was active for one month to test the effectiveness of the goats in the overgrown area of the park.

While active, the goats were protected by two donkeys CONTINUED | New Playground Structures Staff continue with playground installations in spite of inclement weather. This seasons's installations include new playgrounds at MLK Jr. Park, Carl Gene Young Sr. Park, Quakertown Park, Nette Shultz Park, and Carnegie Ridge Subdivision.

ON-GOING | North Lakes Park Dog Park Regardless of inclement weather, progress continues with the completion of fencing, concrete, sod, and lighting installations.

UPDATE | Restrooms at Carl Gene Young Sr. Park Beginning in September, the restroom trailer at the Carl Gene Young Sr. Park sprayground was removed due to repeated vandalism and impropriety. Construction on a permanent restroom structure began and is expected to be completed in the first quarter.

Tennis Center

UPDATE | North Lakes Park Tennis Center Staff are in the planning stages of the construction of the new tennis center and have selected building facade materials such as the stone and aluminum.

Project Updates and Park Planning Initiatives

NEW | Cemetery Restoration and Technology Project Park Maintenance staff teamed up with Texas Cemeteries Restoration (TCR) to survey Block 4 of Oakwood Cemetery. Block 4 is located in the northwest corner of the property and is void of many headstones.

For years it was assumed that this block was full of unmarked graves and that the cemetery was nearly full. TCR, they used Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to to help identify the location of burials for both marked and unmarked graves. In late September, a report revealed we have 24 unmarked graves and over 500 potential plots available for burials. Based on an average of 25 burials per year, Block 4 has the potential to provide burials for the next 20 years.

To date, Block 4 is the only section to be surveyed. Once additional funding is identified and secured, Blocks 6 through 8 will be surveyed and studied with the same goal in mind.

In addition to the GPR project, the Texas Veterans Hall of Fame and UNT students placed medallions of valor next to 176 WWI veteran headstones.

NBC5 published a story on Sept. 21 in honor of their volunteer work.

NEW | Sagebrook Development PARD is working with a development team to acquire trail and park acreage in cooperation with a 490-home neighborhood development on the south side of the future Southwest Park. This could provide a unique median trail that would be new to the park system.

UPDATE | Denton Natatorium (NAT) July 2-Aug. 20, Denton NAT closed for capital maintenance repairs that were funded by DISD. The repairs included replastering the competition pool, replacing the dehumidification and HVAC system, and replacing tiles, underwater LED pool lights, and office floors adjacent to the pool deck replaced. This is the first time in 17 years that these updates have been made.

UPDATE | Bonnie Brae Roundabout and Park Improvements Improvements, including lighting, sidewalk ramps, landscaping, and minor cleanup are scheduled to be complete in January 2020

Bonnie Brae Roundabout & McKenna Park Improvements

Future Parkland Acquisition and New Development Plans Toured the Carter property (250+ acres) in northeast Denton for potential future park.

Conducted numerous meetings with Cole and Hunter Ranch.

Working with Agave Development for 18.5 acres of park land.

Met with Denton County concerning a proposed easement for the Pecan Creek Linear Park.

Met with Canopy Trails regarding the potential acquisition of 85+/- acres of park land east of downtown.

Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Budget Overview, Cost Saving Initiatives, and Efficiencies Q1-4 | Oct. 2018-Present General Fund Revenue Year-To-Date Revenue $2,274,806 (97% of target) Year-End Revenue Estimate $2,268,481 (96.6% of target)

General Fund Expenses Year-To-Date Expenses $10,264,220 (96% of budget) Year-End Expense Estimate $10,655,102 (99.6%)

Recreation Fund Revenue Year-To-Date Revenue $2,235,178 (102% of target)

Recreation Fund Expenses Year-To-Date Expenses $5,344,218 (98% of budget)

Transfer from General Fund Total Revenue with Transfer $3,076,517 (100% of target)

Year-To-Date Revenue with Transfer $5,311,695 (101% of target)

Master Plan Update Planning The Future of Parks Over the last year, staff worked with National Service Research (NSR), to design and administer a statistically valid comprehensive needs assessment survey as part of the new Parks, Recreation, and Trails Master Plan. Working with staff, NSR developed an online survey that debuted at the State of the City event on January 17 and remained opened through end of July. The following highlights staff's collaborative effort to gather public input in support of the survey: Collaborated with Mayor Watts and Park Board Chair Frances Punch to promote an outreach call to action that encouraged the community to take the survey.

Obtained a total of 2,028 survey responses; 407% increase from the previous master plan.

Hosted 35 public meetings and program specific focus groups.

Promoted a “Play a Part in the Future of Parks” social media campaign.

Hosted numerous interactive Open House Community Input Workshops.

Promoted a “Pick, Click, and Play” online survey.

The Parks, Recreation, and Trails Master Plan is being developed in-house. In addition to staff gathering public input using various platforms, staff has also worked diligently to identify and assess the City’s current inventory of parks, trails, recreation facilities, and programs. Initial estimation of this process had an end of year completion date; however, the timeline has been extended in exchange for additional investments in community input and on-going projects and initiatives. Big thanks to staff for engaging in these processes and supporting efforts to gather comunity input and host so many meetings.

THE GAME PLAN Planning The Future of Parks City-Wide Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPM) | In May, City Council approved the IPM program. Shortly after approval, staff was directed to expand the program from a department to a City-wide effort. Staff has since been working on it in conjunction with a City-wide mowing solution. Combining both will improve staff oversight.

Design Standards | Staff continues to identify discrepancies in Denton's current park statistics to update data and to develop new standards to later be compared to standards published by National Recreation and Parks Association and The Trust for Public Land.

Strategic Plan | Staff continues to work and implement the Strategic Plan that rolls up and parallels the City's Strategic Plan. Assignments have been made and Jason Barrow is helping track implementation and progress assigned to teams.

Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies To date, we have completed 76 of 151 standards of best practices in the self-assessment portion of the CAPRA process. Once done, we'll pursue the on-site visitation and review.

Urban Forest Master Plan | Staff continues to complete an updated comprehensive plan and review existing resources, forestry operations, funding, codes, and planning policies.

Outdoor Entertainment Venues | Staff continues to develop a plan for music venues in Quakertown Park. The plan outlines a hierarchy of amphitheaters that can be used for events and programs, enhance opportunities for music and entertainment, and support the Cultural District efforts.

Denton Mobility Plan | The 2020 Denton Mobility Plan is a multimodal mobility study and strategy to address citywide transportation, including PARD's dual use sidewalks and trails, as well as connectivity opportunities between the Engineering and Parks and Recreation Departments.

Outdoor Sign Plan | Staff continues to execute this plan in tandem with park signage plan.

Subsidy and Resource Allocation Study | In October, Park Board approved the study after numerous summer meetings with GreenPlay and staff. Next, the study will be presented to City Council in November.

COMMUNICATIONS Public Outreach & Board Meetings Master Plan Consultants and Subject Matter Experts

Master Plan Open House Community Input Workshops

Action Sports Focus Group, Feb. 11

Staff Open House Input Workshops, April 22 @ Denia Rec Center

Recreation Center SME, Feb. 28 Athletics Division SME, March 13

Open House Community Workshop, April 24 @ Denia Rec Center

Bike Park Focus Group, March 25 Mountain Bike Focus Group, March 25 Urban Forest Master Plan Kick-off, April 4 Disc Golf Consultants, April 11 Mountain Bike Focus Group, April 11 Playground Consultants, April 24 Aquatics Focus Group, May 10 Athletics Division Focus Group, May 22 Aquatics Focus Group, June 4 Master Naturalist & Gardner Public Mtg, June 6 Sprayground Focus Group, June 10 Velo Republic Mt Bike/Trail Focus Group, July 27 Rec Center Focus Group, Aug. 22

Neighborhood Public Meetings Carnegie Ridge, Feb. 19 Rayzor Ranch, March 18 McKenna Park, March 18 Sequoia Park, March 21 South Lakes Park, July 22

Open House Community Workshop, April 25 @ Denton Senior Center Open House Community Workshop, April 25 @ MLK Jr. Rec Rec Center Open House Community Workshop, May 18 @ North Lakes Rec Center City Council Community Workshop, June 11 @ City Hall Park Board Community Workshop, July 1 @ Denton Civic Center

Public Meeting Collaborations Denton Mobility Plan July 31 & Aug. 1 Developer Town Hall Meeting, Sept. 16

Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board July Board Meeting Schedule of Fees, Shade Structures, 2019 Bond Program, Parks Master Plan Exercise

August Board Meeting Bowling Green Park, Pool Policy on Slides, Pools Hours of Operations, 2019-20 Operating Budget, Fred Moore Historical Sign

September Board Meeting Park Foundation Agreement, McKenna Park, Park Design Guideline and Standards, Vice Chair Election

COMMUNICATIONS Collaborations and Partnerships Annual Mayor-City Council Business Awards Breakfast Sept. 20, staff presented a partnership award to UNT for their continued support of Parks and Recreation athletic programs.

Community Development Block Grant 56 Kids enrolled in the Free Camp Scholarship, partial funded by the CDBG. SPARK Parks and Recreation teamed up with several Spark employees to help with the Parks, Recreation and Trails Master Plan and CAPRA to gain experience outside of their department.

Public Art Committee On July 12, staff presented concept art for a sculpture in cooperation with Rayzor Ranch Town Center development. The development was considering a $20,000 donation for a bronze sculpture of a steer and will potentially work to find other donors. The PAC opted not to accept the proposal.

Upper Trinity Conservation Trust Sept. 18, staff met with the Upper Trinity Conservation Trust to pursue a partnership as part of the development of the Parks, Recreation and Trails Master Plan.

Keep Denton Beautiful (KDB) In an effort to streamline program processes and expand project collaboration, KDB staff have been reorganized under the Parks and Recreation Department. The KDB Program Manager and Volunteer & Program Coordinator will continue to support the mission of the City’s nonprofit partner, Keep Denton Beautiful, Inc. Staff has relocated offices from the leased space at the Railyard to City Hall East.

Developer Town Hall Partnerships Staff is investing in the Developer Town Hall meetings to foster partnerships in an effort to create focus groups that will be used to serve as a catalyst for improvements.

Denton Parks Foundation Inaugural Splish Splash Doggie Bash Sept. 7, staff and the Park Foundation hosted the Inaugural Splish Splash Doggie Bash at Civic Center Pool and welcomed 97 dogs, 139 human companions, and 18 volunteers. Sponsors and vendors lined the pool deck and engaged with participants all day offering unique activities such as Southrdge Animal Hospital Dog CPR lessons. Participants received an event t-shirt thanks to an in-kind sponsorship from Groggy Dog, and lots of giveaways from sponsors and vendors alike.

Park Foundation volunteers & Parks and Rec staff mulched 12+ trees at Lake Forest Park.

Park Foundation hosted the first annual Splish Splash Doggie Bash

COMMUNITY EVENTS PARD Hosted and Partnered Events Fourth of July Jubilee The Fourth of July Jubilee drew one of the biggest crowds for a City event. The celebration began with 422 Liberty Run runners and walkers on a new USATF certified course through Downtown. The parade had 69 entries and was over an hour-long, which was double the amount of last year. The Jubilee at Denton Civic Center attracted several thousand residents who enjoyed new activities that included live entertainment, a zip line, a dunking booth, and a mechanical bull. The Hot Dog Eating Competition had eight contenders who downed a record number of hot dogs. Overall, the event was a great example of inter-department work that included support from the Police Dept. and Park Maintenance.

Family Fun Nights at Civic Center Pool July 24 and July 31 from 6-8 p.m.

“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” Dive-In Movie July 19 at Water Works Park from 7 to 10 p.m.

Clear the Shelter Aug. 17 at Denton Animal Shelter Vela Athletic Complex Grand Opening Aug. 31 at Vela Athletic Complex

There was a great variety of games and bounce houses. My grandsons had a grand time. The young lady in the dunking booth was brave and the kids had fun, even the little ones who were carried to the stand.

Winifred Mallam

We had such a great time at the parade and then at the Civic Center. Thank you for everyone and all their hard work they put into all the activities.

Brandon Tyler

“101 Dalmatians” Movie in the Park Sept. 27 at Quakertown Park from 7 to 10 p.m.

National Night Out Kickoff Party Sept. 30 at Denton Civic Center from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Senior Center Volunteer Appreciation Aug. 16 at Denton Civic Center Staff hosted a Casino night for 77 volunteers and nine sponsored game tables and food. Some volunteers had thousands of pretend money by the end of the night.

Second Annual Senior Community Health Fair Sept. 27 at Denton Civic Center from 9 a.m to 1 p.m.

Staff hosted the health fair at Denton Civic Center with 39 vendors and 100+ attendees.

Feedback was excellent! Special thanks to the following staff for supporting the Senior Center team: Tyler Smith, Natalie Berrios-Arroyo, Jennifer Eusse, Christy Sayer, and Sydney Locorini.

Meet milkweed, the beautiful plant where

Q4 | PARD TEAM HIGHLIGHTS 96%

89%

97%

92%

Great Job Summer Camp Staff All-Day Camp reached 96% capacity Preschool Camp reached 89% capacity Way to go Megan Elementary Age Camp reached 97% capacity for completing TeenLeadership Camp reached 92% capacity Denton Staff filled 4,674 of 4,881 available camp spots!

Class of 2019.

Counselor in Training

Super Cool, Super Kids

Wonderful + Marvelous

Hugs From the Media

Brooke Austin, our first Counselor in Training, aka Squad Leader, helped Camp Exploration SummerCamp.

Super Kids were super charged by their July visit by Jory Kratz, Miss California 2019.

Our creative themes and Marvel'ous staff helped make summer camps such a HUGE success!

Great job!

A Photojournalist from the Denton Record-Chronicle gave Hugs to staff for always welcoming them into our facilities!

THE NOOK

Congratulations!

Happiness is a Butterfly

Doggone Awesome

Congrats on giving birth to baby goat twins at Lake Forest Park. Next time, we'll aim for the cover of the Wall Street Journal!

The fruits of your labor paid off as park users loved seeing Monarch butterflies in the parks.

Nice work PM!

Thank you staff for supporting the Park Foundation and helping make the Splish Splash Doggie Bash a SMASH!

Way to represent the depth of Glenn's reach with the Library's "The Nook" at the Noon Rotary Club on Sept. 19.

Q4 | ORDINANCE AND POLICY HIGHLIGHTS NEW & Improved Policy Approved by City Council Inclement Weather Policy approved by City Council.

Updates in Progress Direction provided

by City Council for the Naming Policy.

NEW & Improved Policy Approved by City Council Currently drafting an Easement Policy.

City-Wide Improvements Integrated Pest Mgmt PARD relaunching IPM to a City-wide IPM program.

Accounting Wrap Up and Friday Reports Projects Closed between July and Sept. 2019 1. Lightning Detection Equipment 2. Lake Forest Improvements 3. Water Works Addition (Wave Pool Study) 4. Industrial Park

Projects Opened between July and Sept. 2019 1. McKenna Improvements 2. Hwy 2499 Design

Park Maintenance Status | Current Supplementals Completed | Hired Landscape Architect and started designing projects in-house.

Completed | Performed winter maintenance per right of way tree tree trimming approval.

Completed | Mowed park property transition to new companies, adjustment is being monitored In-progress | Developed designs for Eagle/Elm, Dallas/Teasley, South Lakes parking lot.

Leisure Services Status | Current Supplementals Completed | NAT window tint installation completed June 15 Completed | Awaiting HBU funding consolidation Completed | Expanded hours of NL Rec Center Completed | Maximized additional part-time funds to hire more NAT pool deck staff On-hold | Awaiting the start of ALH construction Capital Maintenance Allocation Status | Current Supplementals Completed | Replaced irrigation controllers and installed lightning detection system

Friday Reports and Informal Staff Reports We continue to send department updates for the Friday Report and maximizing opportunities to provide City Council with additional information that demonstrates how our team contributions.

July 5 - Industrial Park Eagle Scout Project, Fourth of July Jubilee, Dive-in Movie, South Lakes Park Meeting, Artificial Turf in Parks, Civic Center Pool Hours July 13 - Wiggly Field temporary closure, wildflowers in parks, Dive in Movie, Family Fun Nights, South Lakes Park Meeting, Oakwood Cemetery Availability July 19 – Mobility Plan, Urban Forest Master Plan Meeting, Quakertown Park/Civic Center Awning, Natatorium Closure, City Employee Discounts for Summer Camps, City-wide IPM July 26 – Natatorium Closure, North Lakes Soccer Fence Aug. 2 – Hartlee Field, Quakertown-Emily Fowler Amphitheater, Denton Parks Foundation Update Aug. 9 – Open Space, County Historical Park Restrooms, Fitness Pass Costs Update, IPM System Supplemental Follow Up, Denton Parks Foundation Update Aug. 16 – McKenna Park Roundabout and Landscaping, Mall Sports Complex, Natatorium Reopening Aug. 30 – Green Ribbon Grant, Non-Toxic Neighborhoods Follow Up, Recreation Center and Services Public Meeting, Urban Forest Master Plan Public Meeting Sept. 6 – North Lakes Park Pier, City-wide Mowing Sept. 13 – Playground Installations Sept. 20 – Restrooms at Carl Young Sr Park, Goat Pilot Project, Naming Policy Public Meetings Sept. 27 – KDB Reorganization, Splish Splash Doggie Bash Update