It’s July, which means Parks & Recreation Month is in full swing, and what better way to celebrate than with some incredible news? The Vineyards Campground & Cabins has been named 2025 Campground of the Year by the Texas Association of Campgrounds! A huge shout-out to our dedicated Lake Parks team, our outstanding Park Hosts, and Lake Parks Manager Morgan Denny. This award is a proud moment for our whole community!
That’s not all, we also want to recognize the entire Parks and Recreation Department staff for the incredible work put into meeting all 154 standards for CAPRA reaccreditation. Fewer than 1% of cities in the United States achieve this distinction! Your commitment to excellence is something to be truly proud of.
We know this time of year is busy across every division. Take a moment to appreciate the impact you're making every day. Your hard work is seen, valued, and deeply appreciated.
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Welcome to the World, Lolli James!
“Our Parks and Recreation family just got a little bigger! Congratulations to James Duvall and his wife Kyli on the arrival of their beautiful baby girl, Lolli James, born Thursday, July 3rd We’re happy to share that mom and baby are both doing great and are now home settling in ”
Thanks to Rachel Corn!
“Big shout out to Rachel Corn for being an outstanding leader and teammate! Rachel has gone above and beyond in leading her Camp Staff making sure every detail is handled and, most importantly, that her team feels supported, appreciated, and cared for Balancing multiple tasks while navigating the wild and wonderful world of camp life (including those “fun” camp parents) isn’t easy, but Rachel consistently excels with grace, patience, and positivity I am beyond grateful for her, Rachel is truly a great asset to our department and the City as a whole!”
Big Shout out to Natasha Gale and Arianna Such!
“I would like to shout out Natasha Gale and Arianna Such for a successful CAPRA week!
Natasha jumped into the CAPRA process with two feet and spent time outside of the office educating herself on the standards and organized a fun week for both the CAPRA team and PARD staff. I know how hard she worked hard to ensure that everything submitted was done correctly and organized and I was so impressed by how confident she was, even being new to the team. Arianna’s first week was CAPRA week and you would not have even known it! She joined the team with no hesitation and participated and contributed like she has been with Grapevine PARD for years. I am so thankful to work with these amazing and professional women.”
Big Shoutout to Megan Holladay and Natasha Gale!
“I want to give a shout out to Megan and Natasha; every day I get to see them is a joy! They’ve been doing an incredible job navigating and supporting our team, and they’re handling it all with patience, grace, and determination. The challenges that come with their role aren’t always easy, but they’re learning, growing, and figuring things out! So grateful to have them both!”
Huge thank you to the Active Adults team and Stephen Chevier!
"I want to give a shout-out to the Active Adult team for holding it down. Also, a big shout-out to Stephen Chevier for stepping in and helping us out when we were shorthanded.”
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Big Shoutout to Blake Benavides!
“I want to give a big shout-out to Blake Benavides for his unwavering commitment to making Athletics a great experience for our patrons. Whether he’s out at the fields early on a weekend morning helping with a tournament or answering a late-night call at 10:00 p.m. to fix an issue, Blake is always there to ensure everything runs smoothly. Thank you for going above and beyond, Blake!”
Shout-Out to Our Incredible Community Events Team (Brooke H., Stephen Ch., Brooke T. & Gisel M.)!
“A huge round of applause to our events team for kicking off the summer with an amazing Pop N Play! With over 200 attendees, the event was a hit, and it wouldn’t have been possible without your hard work, creativity, and dedication. You gave 110% all week (in the Texas heat, no less!) to make sure our community had a fun, safe, and memorable experience. Your efforts truly shine, and we’re so grateful for everything you do. Here’s to an awesome summer of events!”
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Active Adults
Led by Megan Varner, the Active Adults division is dedicated to enriching the lives of adults 55 and better through a wide range of programs that promote wellness, creativity, and connection.
From planning fitness classes, fine arts, and social events to preparing daily lunches with MMOW, (Metroport Meals On Wheels), managing transportation, and hosting large-scale events, the team ensures every participant feels welcomed and supported.
You’ve likely seen their work in the monthly Grape Affair calendars, lunch menus, digital flyers, and community photos shared throughout The REC.
One of their proudest moments this year was the success of their first-ever Summer Kick-Off Carnival, now an annual tradition!
Upcoming highlights include the Fall Prevention Fair, Senior Jamboree, Veterans Program, and their beloved Annual Christmas Party.
The division’s mission is clear: create a space where active adults can try new things, make meaningful connections, and feel a strong sense of belonging.
As the team looks to the future, they’re also celebrating a transition within their own group: Rachel Corn has been named the new Active Adult Coordinator, stepping in as Dawn transitions to a part-time role to spend more time with her grandson.
We’re grateful for Dawn’s years of dedication and thrilled to welcome Rachel into this new chapter!
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ARIANNA SUCH WELCOME!
Say hello to Arianna Such, the creative force joining our Community Events division as the new Event Production Manager!
A volleyball-loving, coffee-fueled pro with a talent for turning big ideas into memorable experiences, Arianna brings an energy that’s contagious and a passion for bringing people together.
When she’s not dreaming up decor or coaching soccer, you’ll find her snacking on sushi and salt & vinegar chips, jamming to “Level Up” by Ciara, or binge-watching Ted Lasso and White Collar.
Arianna’s home team includes her husband Daniel, two adorable pups; Winston and Abigail, and a crew of nieces, nephews, and goddaughters who keep life extra fun.
Arianna thrives on event days (even early mornings!), creative brainstorming, and lunch with coworkers
She's excited to make magic happen for our community and jump into big projects like Settlers Park, the REC expansion, and CAPRA reaccreditation.
Welcome to the team, Arianna! We’re so glad you’re here!
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“Settlers Park is my go-to spot when I need a breather. It’s so quiet and peaceful, it makes you forget you’re anywhere near a city. I didn’t know about it before I started this job, but during my interview process, I was lucky enough to build a marketing campaign around it and I really enjoyed exploring all the ways a park can enrich a community. Since then, it’s stuck with me. Now it feels tied to this whole chapter of my life. Settler's Park is where I go to slow down, think, and remind myself how lucky I am to do work I care about in such an awesome place with such fun and driven people!”
