As we welcome March, Grapevine Parks and Recreation is energized and excited for the season ahead
Last month, our team enjoyed a fun-filled bowling event, strengthening our connections and celebrating the teamwork that drives our success It’s moments like these that remind us how important it is to build strong relationships within our team and our community
With spring on the horizon, now is the perfect time to get outside, try something new, and make lasting memories Let’s keep the momentum going and make this spring one to remember!
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Meet Rachel, our passionate Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator at The REC!
A proud Grapevine native, Rachel brings energy and dedication to our Therapeutic Recreation programs, especially CLUB All-Access.
When not at work, you can often find Rachel at the baseball fields, cheering on baseball and hockey or enjoying a meal from Portillo’s (a lifelong favorite!).
At work, energy drinks and engaging with participants keep Rachel going, especially through her biggest drain: “the coming hot months"!
A fan of The Office, Rachel would walk around to the tune of "Lovely Day" and believes in making the most of every day with the motto: "Every day we make it; we'll make it the best we can!"
Meet Stephen Chevier, our Community Events who brings creativity and passion to every
t planning memorable experiences, you’ll ng on cars or woodworking, with a love for d Gone in 60 Seconds.
t regular, Stephen enjoys tackling hands-on watching car races in his free time. He namic environment and appreciates the k-to-back events, finding motivation in side his fun and supportive team
ng? Disney’s "Happily Ever After," fitting for believes "If you can DREAM it, you can DO
his family to graduate from college, es hard work and determination He’s e back to the community and create joyful experiences for others
THE APPLAUSE LINE
TEAM TO TEAM APPRECIATION
Huge shoutout to Luke and Eden!
Last week, a volunteer informed me about an abandoned piano left in green space near Grapevine Mills I reached out to Luke, and he and Eden quickly met me on-site Without hesitation, they loaded the piano into the truck and took care of its disposal Luke and Eden are always ready to step up when it comes to removing trash and dumped debris, and I truly appreciate their hard work and willingness to help GPARD lucky to have such dedicated team members! - Cindy Harris
Shout out to Cindy for gracefully handling a difficult situation between two important organizations in Volunteer Services! She used tact to find common goals between the two agencies and ultimately found solutions that made everyone feel heard and understood. These organizations are essential to our success, and Cindy ensured we would continue our relationship with them both for years to come. Way to go, Cindy! - Erin Rodriguez
Shoutout to Jenn Kashner for becoming the new TRAPS North Region Director and to Hayden Garner for stepping up as the new North Region TRAPS Future and Young Professional Branch Rep! Love seeing Grapevine PARD represented at this level congrats to both! - Dawn Parry
I want to give a huge shoutout to Rachel Corn! In less than a month, she has already hit the ground running, making a strong impact and proving to be an invaluable member of our team Her dedication, work ethic, and enthusiasm have not gone unnoticed, and I truly appreciate all that she brings to the table I’m incredibly grateful to have her on board, and I can’t wait to see all that she continues to accomplish!Taylor Johnson
A huge thank you to Randy, Tony, Emily, Morgan, and Taylor for the insightful tours and for taking the time to explain how everything works in those beautiful and essential areas of Parks and Recreation Your knowledge and dedication help make a real difference in providing the best for our community we truly appreciate it! - Umber Batool and Carolina Reif
HUGE shoutout to THE JENNIFER KASHNER! Not only is she our incredible Recreation Manager, but now she’s also the North Region Director for TRAPS! Jen is an amazing asset to our team, and when I look back on everything we’ve accomplished in the last year, it’s clear that she’s been behind so many of the positive changes. She genuinely cares about her staff and always goes above and beyond to ensure our success. Jen is constantly recognizing our work and cheering us on—she truly makes work fun! And maybe a little loud… �� - Emily Marecle
THE APPLAUSE LINE
TEAM TO TEAM APPRECIATION - Part II
On top of her regular duties, Brooke has been working hard to plan monthly outings for our team. This has taken creativity and thoughtfulness, especially when requesting sponsorships and donations for space or services. It is not an easy task, but she does it with as big smile and the ultimate desire to make our staff feel appreciated. We appreciate you for appreciating us, Brooke! - Erin Rodriguez
Thank you to Sherard Williams and Ana Rodenas for helping me with my flat tire! I didn’t realize it would truly be “Donut Day” as they put a donut spare on my car right behind the Donut truck! I really appreciate their patience and thank you to Sherard who truly saved the day. - Megan Holladay
A big thank you goes to Carolina and Umber for holding down the marketing division during the transition between Managers! They have been able to successfully coordinate social media, the magazine and more, with limited hours and resources We are so grateful for your hard work, ladies! - Erin Rodriguez
Celebrating Jennifer Kashner: Our New TRAPS North Region Director!
We are beyond proud to announce that our very own Jennifer Kashner, Recreation Manager, was inducted as the North Region Director of the Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) last week!
Her leadership, passion, and dedication to enhancing our community’s recreational experiences continue to inspire us every day Join us in celebrating this incredible achievement and wishing Jennifer all the best as she brings her vision and expertise to TRAPS!
B E H I N D T H E S C E N E S
Bessie Mitchell House
In 1995, after a visit to Botanica in Wichita, Kansas, City Councilman C Shane Wilbanks envisioned a vibrant green space in Grapevine, leading to the creation of the Grapevine Botanic Gardens at Heritage Park. The city acquired the property south of Herita Park, including the late Mrs. Bessie Mitchell’s home, transforming it into t Bessie Mitchell House a welcoming community facility
The gardens were brought to life by landscape architect Oliver Windham 1999. The project took three thoughtfully planned phases from 200 to 2005, resulting in the beautiful eig acre park adjacent to Heritage Park.
A modern refresh in 202 Bessie Mitchell House in space for meetings and venue features a spacio abundance of natural lig picturesque outdoor pati breathtaking views of th design focuses on blend comfort with the natural Botanical Gardens, offer upgraded windows that p the serene surroundings
Whether hosting a gathe soaking in the scenery, Mitchell House delivers functionality, and a seam connection to nature
SPREAD
Indoor Summer Camp Counselor
Assistant Indoor Camp Manager
Outdoor
Outdoor Camp Manager
Lifeguard
D I V I S I O N
S P O T L I G H T
Parks Operations
Spotlight on Park Operations
This dedicated team oversees all aspects of park maintenance, from athletic fields and playgrounds to lake parks and special event support
They manage everything from irrigation and construction to horticulture and aquatic maintenance keeping Grapevine’s outdoor spaces beautiful and functional year-round
Their work is seen all over the city, from manicured landscapes and vibrant playgrounds to wellmaintained athletic fields, lake parks, and The Vineyards Campground. They also play a key role in supporting other divisions, ensuring athletic leagues run smoothly, pools stay operational, and special events like the Christmas Capital of Texas® are set up for success.
Recent accomplishments include playground improvements, the approval of the Meadowmere Park Education Pavilion, and renovations at The Vineyards Campground
Looking ahead, the team is focused on projects like new playground replacements, Rockledge Park development, turf replacements, and continued enhancements to Grapevine’s outdoor spaces
Whether maintaining scenic parks, preparing for the next big event, or keeping our city’s green spaces in top shape, the Parks team works tirelessly behind the scenes.
A huge thank you to Park Operations for keeping Grapevine beautiful and thriving!
