SYSTEMS – POLICIES, PROCEDURES, OPS, COMMUNICATIONS, MARKETING, FUNDING, STAFFING, LEADERSHIP What makes us so GRAND? Strengths 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
Citizen support Council support Leadership support Management support Relationship of leadership with council – trust (which translates into action) Sales tax revenue Marketing team Internal teamwork Diverse facilities Diverse community – and staff that reflects the community Partnerships – especially with schools Good natural resources Proximity to Dallas/Fort Worth CAPRA Visionary
What will make us MORE GRAND? Opportunities 1. Staffing a. Maintenance – number of staff necessary to maintain existing and new facilities (cannot rely on contract) b. Special Events c. Lake parks d. In general 2. Internal engagement and involvement of staff (at events such as this meeting) 3. Succession Planning – retirements on the horizon for leadership; need to plan for it 4. Turnover – hiring young professionals not from the P&R field and they leave after a short time; focus more on hiring P&R graduates 5. Have a dedicated park police crew – ideally run by the Parks, Arts and Recreation department 6. Marketing and Communications – need to do more than what is being done today; not sufficient marketing going on…especially for parks 7. Cumbersome administrative processes – HR, finance, purchasing 8. Enterprise operations – lost revenue resulting from decision to allow city residents free entrance to the park; losing revenue while population and park usage is increasing. Tough to maintain service quality given limited revenue. Perhaps consider adjusting so that residents pay on weekends. 9. So many ideas for doing things different/better but no time, resources or staff to do it. WRAP UP AND NEXT STEPS The staff input session ended with Prasser reminding staff how they continue to be informed and involved in the planning process. Shinogle then provided staff with a hand out survey and “Park Bucks” to vote for priorities for the future. Shinogle thanked the staff for participating and adjourned the session.
5 of 5
E-8
PROJECT DISCOVERY 2026: CREATING A GRAND PARK SYSTEM