Parks

children to play in those made with more natural materials. WGI, a Floridabased engineering firm, has begun constructing playgrounds like this across Florida. In an article by the company, the writer explores ways in which parks created using wood, metal and other more natural products can engage children and still be accessible for those who have special needs.

“The average life of our playgrounds across all parks is around 10-12 years old,” Flores said. “All of our parks are under the new outlook to find what best represents our community right now. I am confident we will see some over East Texas.”

The city also has Morris Frank Park in its sights as local leaders seek to make it a “premier park and destination for all sports,” Flores said. Morris Frank Park has baseball, softball and soccer facilities, as well as an 18-hole disc golf course, wetland garden, trail, lake, playground and picnic area.

“In the Parks & Recreation world, we like to use the abbreviation C.A.P.P.A. Culture, Active, Passive, Primitive and Aquatics,” Flores said.

Rudy considers those to be the top five ways to define recreation and said green spaces would be a combination of passive space and primitive areas.

“The importance of preserving or developing green spaces ensures our citizens have the freedom to create their type of recreation,” he said.