THE 2015 PARKS, ARTS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR 2015 was a stellar year! Lives were touched, and lives were changed. Community was created through our various major special events. In some aspects, it was the year of weather. Both the Lake Parks and Prairie Lights were closed for long periods of time. However, the “teamwork” of this GRAND City helped turn the doom and gloom into new opportunities and excitement. And, then there was the Grandbreaking for “The Epic”, “Epic Waters” and “PlayGrand Adventures” - a night that will be talked about for years! Oh, what a night!
their thumbprint on the project. Our JoinTheEpic.com website has consistently updated our citizens and has provided them another avenue to leave their mark on this legacy project.
It’s important to let our City Council, Parks Board, partners, volunteers and citizens understand we have numerous opportunities because of their continued support for quality of life funding. No member of your Parks, Arts and Recreation staff take that for granted! We are all honored to work in Grand Prairie!
In closing, each year seems to top the last! And, we plan on making Raving Fans through delivering World Class Service once again in 2016! Our staff worked every day of the year in 2015, something you don’t often say about a Parks and Recreation Department; however, it is something we are quite proud of!
With all of the grand accomplishments, which will be singled out in our sixth annual report, I am especially proud of the awards and kudos bestowed on your Parks, Arts and Recreation staff and their creative programming. At the annual City Awards Night, Susan Henson was named City Employee of the Year, Mariana Espinoza received the City Supervisor of the Year, and Tim Shinogle gained the City Manager of the Year honor. And, we had a host of nominees who also deserved these top honors. All of the awards are highlighted in this Annual Report. Remember, we are committed to have the best Parks, Arts and Recreation staff in America! We will have some new hires hitting the first of the year that will continue the excellence.
You hear me say it all the time, but it is at the top of the pyramid for the Grand Prairie Parks, Arts and Recreation Department: “We Change Lives!” It is powerful, it is documented, and it is why we do what we do! However, it all starts with a vision from our Mayor and City Council, unbridled support from the City Manager’s Office, passionate assistance from the Parks Board, incredible help from our partners, sponsors, and fellow departments and unique love from engaged citizens. Grand Prairie Parks, Arts and Recreation is indeed a community celebration! It just takes all of us together, working as one, to make it happen each and every year! Grand Prairie, Texas is becoming “America’s Playground,” and we are so glad to be part of the excitement! Live Life Grand!
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Respectfully,
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We appreciate our Mayor and City Council, our City Manager’s Office, our Parks Board, our other departments, our volunteers, our partners, our sponsors and each and every citizen. We work as the professional caretakers of the citizen’s parks and recreation system. But, without the support of all the groups mentioned, there would be no gold medal department! It starts with an overall city vision and ends with citizen involvement. On “The Epic” project alone, we held 40 community input meetings, and hundreds of citizens are leaving
We are very excited to kick-off our new Parks, Open Space and Bike-Trails Master Plan in 2016. This document will lead the department and the city for the next 20 years! I am honored to say our last two master plans have been guiding forces of the development of the department. Areas of interest in our next plan include: South Grand Prairie land acquisition, movement to xeriscape (drought tolerant landscaping), look at artificial turf for athletic fields, and continued updates at all 62 parks in our award-winning parks system.
X AN CEL FIE E D R LENCE IN THE AG N ECR EATION MA
Rick Herold Director of Parks, Arts and Recreation Fellow, American Academy for Parks and Recreation Administration National Recreation and Parks Association Gold Medal Winning Department
PARK MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS Duane Strawn Manager of Parks & Lake 972-237-8106
PARK MAINTENANCE 972-262-0071 • Parks Maintained – 54 Parks • Medians/Right of Way Maintained – 350 acres (15 million square feet) • Median/Right of Way Beds – 220,000 square feet • Trails Maintained 10.5 miles
BEAUTIFICATION/RENOVATION PROJECTS • Built a road and parking lot at Prairie Park • Renovated restrooms at Charley Taylor, McFalls East and West • Renovated the sand volleyball court at Mike Lewis • Planted 250 pounds of Bluebonnet seed at Turner and Mountain Creek Park • Renovated lawn at Central Park for the Epic Grand Opening
Did you know?
Did you know that the Gateway crew planted more than 8,200 Pansies and 230 Kale in the many Gateway landscape beds last year?
ATHLETIC MAINTENANCE 972-266-5984 • • • •
Athletic Fields Maintained – 49 Athletic Tournament Preparation – 26 Tournaments Hosted USSSA Boys Baseball World Series Hosted a World Qualifying Tournament for the Girls Softball Association • Cleaned up flood debris at McFalls Park – 5 floods • Modified field #4 at McFalls West
CENTRAL PARK GUARDIANS Mae Smith Program Coordinator 972-237-8107
2015 YEAR END REVIEW
In 2015 the Central Park Guardians reached over 100 Facebook likes. The Guardians continue to promote and support Central Park and its many habitats. The mission of the Central Park Guardians is to manage, build, protect and preserve Central Park. • The Guardians sold seed packets to promote residential Butterfly Habitat in neighborhood gardens at Main Street Fest. • The Marty Party celebrated the Purple Martin migration at Central Park with over 400 attendees in May. Mrs. Gisela Fregoe continues to educate Grand Prairie on the wonderful Purple Martins and their impact on our environment. In 2015 they dedicated the Purple Martin Habitat marker. • Over 5,000 attended this year’s Flight of the Monarch. In three butterfly releases, 750 butterflies were released to migrate back to Mexico. • Mayor Jensen joined the “Mayors’ Monarch Pledge”; and we are committed to implement eight action items for 2016.
Did you know?
20 years ago, more than one billion Eastern monarch butterflies migrated to Mexico, but in the winter of 2014, only 60 million made the trip.
R ECREATION DIVISI O N SPECIAL EVENTS Danny Boykin Superintendent of Recreation 972-237-8084
Mariana Espinoza Sr. Recreation Supervisor 972-237-8112
AQUATICS
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972-263-8174 • User Visits – 93,612 • Swim Lessons Registrants – 4,457 • Splash Swim Team – 44 swimmers with 4 swimmers who qualified and swam at the State Swim Meet • Facility Rentals – 458 • Daily Use Admissions – 51,890 • Special Events – Pumpkin Swim, Easter Egg Swim, Doggie Splash Day and 4 swim meets • 295 children took advantage of the free open swim passes they received from the library’s summer reading program • This summer 35 day cares/camps stayed cool at our pools including our own recreation center camps • This summer pool usage at McFalls and Tyre was donated to Zavalla Elementary for their “Beyond the Bell” summer camp and also to the Special Olympics who utilized McFalls pool once a week • Village Hands and Hearts operated a USDA free lunch program at the Kirby Creek Natatorium and McFalls Pool that served 100 kids at each location daily starting mid-summer. By the end of summer we had given • out 9,500 free lunches • Recovered 49.6% of operational costs • • ATHLETICS 972-263-7533 • • User visits per practice, game and tournaments – 277,929 • • 4,675 scheduled games on 38 fields and 3 gyms. • • Athletic Rentals Revenue increased by 61%. • • Softball League Revenue increased by 26%. • • Athletic Concessions Revenue increased 17%. • Offered another youth volleyball season (making 3 seasons per calendar year). • Co-hosted USSSA 9AAA, 10AAA, 11AA, 11AAA, 12AA, 12AAA, 13AA, 13AAA, 14AAA, and 15AAA Word Series with GP Boys Baseball.
Did you know? • •
The Kirby Creek Natatorium and McFalls pool offered a free lunch program at their facilities during the summer. The City of Grand Prairie Parks, Arts & Recreation Department Hall of Fame Golf Tournament gave out over $8,000 in scholarships to Parks, Arts and Recreation staff members.
972-237-8110 Sneak-A-Peek Run/Walk – 3,000+ Easter Egg-Stravaganza – 4,500+ Main Street Fest – 15,000+ Cinco de Mayo Parade & Celebration – 8,000+ Crawfish Festival – 1,500+ Lone Star Trail and Campion Trail Ceremony – 250+ Parks and Recreation Night at the AirHogs – 750+ Hatch Chile Festival – 2,000+ PlayGrand Adventures Kick-Off Reception – 150+ Hall of Fame Golf Tournament – 125+ Fall Kid’s Fishing Day – 500+ Holiday Tree Lighting – 500+ EPIC Groundbreaking Celebration – 4,000+ Pumpkin Run – 3,000+ Street N’ Treat – 1,500+ Farmers Market Opening Day – 1,000+ Farmers Market Car & Bike Show – 350+ Farmers Market Ice Cream Challenge –500+ Farmers Market Celebrity Cook-Off – 200+ Farmers Market Jeep Show – 250+ 2015 Employee Recognition Luncheon – 250+ Get Fit 5K & “Chase The Chiefs” 1 Mile Fun Run – 750+ Martin Luther King Day Parade & Celebration – 6,500+ Cyclin’ With the Mayor – 500+ (*All rides during 2015) Flight of the Monarch – 8,000+ Prairie Lights – 180,000+ Arbor Day – 900+ Veteran’s Day – 350+ Memorial Day – 600+ Marty Party – 300+ April Concerts in the Park – 2,000+
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 972-237-8112 • Pavilion/User Visits – 56,850 • Jennifer McFalls Building/User Visits – 2,500
TONY SHOTWELL LIFE CENTER
972-237-7529 User Visits – 189,466+ 2,800+ people 290 facility rentals, 17,545 attended rentals Class revenue increased by 12%. Reservation rental revenue increased by 25%. Tony Shotwell Life Center hosted Class-A-Thon Fitness Bootcamp that was attended by approximately 150 people • Tony Shotwell Life Center partnered with Parkland Hospital to incorporate a health & fitness camp called Camp Champ that was attended by 100 kids • Tony Shotwell Life Center JADN Dance group won Nationals located in Las Vegas. They won both the small and large group categories along with the Judges Award for best category • Tony Shotwell Life Center MPAC Boxing Club had boxers win gold & silver medals at TAAF State in its very first time competing • • • • • •
CHARLEY TAYLOR REC. CENTER
972-264-6890 • User Visits – 143,828 • Hosted the first-ever Itty Bitty Triathlon for ages 3-5 • Hosted 17th Annual Daddy Daughter Dance at the Ruthe Jackson Center with 300 participants • Community Thanksgiving Dinner fed more than 150 children all from donations • Ballet Folklorico Group, Amor A Nuestra Cultura, which meets at Charley Taylor Recreation Center, performed at various citywide special events • Three to six year-old tee-ball, soccer, basketball and flag football grass roots leagues – 450 participants
DALWORTH REC. CENTER 972-264-7670 • • • • • • • • • • •
User Visits – 154,313 Revenue record of $100K. Sold over 1,800 total memberships in first year of remodel. Summer Camp increased revenue to $37K. Brought in $2,200 in donations for community projects. Community Health Fair welcomed 60 vendors and 600 participants. Back to School Health Fair gave away 350 backpacks full of school supplies. Winter Health Fair gave away 400 donated toys. Kid’s Thanksgiving Dinner fed more than 250 children all from donations. Distributed 30 donated turkeys. Youth Basketball League had over 150 participants.
Did you know? • • •
The recreation centers served over 400 free Thanksgiving Meals completely from donations from individuals and areas businesses. The recreation centers offer Summer Day Camp plus13 additional specialty camps for youth during the summer and holiday breaks. Tony Shotwell Life Center’s MPAC Boxing Program and JADN Dance Team brought home 8 State Awards and 3 national awards in 2015!
RECREATION CENTER HIGHLIGHTS • The Tony Shotwell Life Center JADN Dance Team won 1st place in small and large group open categories and the Judges Choice Award at their national competition in Las Vegas. • The Tony Shotwell Life Center Boxing Program won state and tournament medals, including 1st & 3rd place at the Games of Texas in College Station. • Grand Prairie Parks, Arts and Recreation Department’s recreation centers partnered with The Summit to offer a first-time, Intergenerational Gardening Program. 2,160 program hours. • The recreation centers were featured in the Texas Recreation & Park Society Magazine for their programs leading in combating childhood obesity. • Four recreation center staff received fully-paid scholarships to attend the Texas Recreation & Park Society’s Annual Institute in Abilene, TX! (Rod Hayes, Monte Whetstone, Halima Baquedano & Mariana Espinoza)
RECREATION CENTER SPECIAL EVENTS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Parks and Recreation Month activities all month of July Dalworth Recreation Center Back to School Fair Dalworth Recreation Center Let’s Zumba Event Dalworth Recreation Center Community Basketball Tournament Dalworth Recreation Center First-Ever Fall Community Block Party Dalworth Recreation Center Community Thanksgiving Dinner Tony Shotwell Life Center Dia de los Ninos/Day of the Children Celebration Tony Shotwell Life Center Class-A-Thon Tony Shotwell Life Center Healthy Halloween Trick or Trail Charley Taylor Recreation Center Itty Bitty Triathlon Charley Taylor Recreation Center Daddy Daughter Dance Charley Taylor Recreation Center Halloween Carnival Charley Taylor Recreation Center Kid’s Thanksgiving Dinner Olympic Day Explore The Outdoors
THE SUMMIT In the 5 1/2 years since The Summit opened in May, 2010, we have changed the lives of over 5,000 members annually. Now Grand Prairie citizens over 50 no longer sit at home watching TV and eating snacks - they are at The Summit working out and walking in the Fitness Area, swimming laps in the heated pool, playing hundreds of games of pickleball, basketball, pool, bridge, bunco and cards. They are dancing and learning to dance. They are learning to use their new smart phones, iPads and computers. They have greatly improved and enhanced their “quality of life.” Every fitness class fills the gym and every available room. We have an award winning Women’s Network Talk Show that has it’s own YouTube Channel. The Summit is an exciting place for the over 50 crowd.
GIVING BACK
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Volunteers are vital to The Summit’s daily operations. 50 volunteers gave 11,200+ hours of volunteer service. The Summit members are giving back to the community by participating in philanthropic programs such as: • Angel Tree – Summit members adopted 175 seniors from 2 local nursing homes. • Coat Drive – Summit members generously donated coats for families in need. 100+ coats and sweaters were donated! • Scholarships were given to 96 Grand Prairie residents so that they can be a part of the healthy benefits of a membership at The Summit! The Garden Club produced over 300 lbs of fresh produce that was given to the Grand Prairie food bank and the Nutrition Program at The Summit.
SPECIAL EVENTS • • • • • • •
HIGHLIGHTS
SO Big Band Veterans Dance U Sock Hop Concerts in the Park 50+ Expo Marty Party Valentine Dinner & Dance BRAND NEW: Summit Games hosted in May 2015 with more than 160 participants!
Did you know?
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The Summit has over 5,000 members. The Summit had another outstanding year bringing in $1.1 million in revenue. The Summit, along with Dallas Area Agency on Aging, provided 21,279 meals for the Congregate Meal Program and 15,000 rides were given for the Transportation Program. Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital is the exclusive Healthcare provider of The Summit. Summit wellness key holders logged a total of 36,874 training hours on the cardio equipment. Each piece of The Summit’s fitness equipment averages a usage of 153 min/day, and the industry average is 92 min/ day. Our members stay active! To pay for supplies for the greenhouse, the Garden Club did sales of ornamental plants and herbs produced in the greenhouse at the Grand Prairie Farmers Market, Parks & Rec special events including help with Marty Party at The Summit. The Sassy Jewels Red Hat Chapter had over 80 active members in 2015. The Summit hosted a trip in October that took 44 members to New York City, with stops to the Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial and Ellis Island. Winner of TRAPS regional award for The Summit Women’s Network in Recreation Programming. 1st Rhythm and Blues {R&B} Dance hosted in August brought in over 265 people followed by the Christmas R&B that garnered 175 people.
AQUATICS AND FITNESS • • • •
quatic Users – 57,934 [Pool – 45,553; Spa – 12,381] A Gym Users – 16,986 Fitness Class Users – 17,694 Weight Room and Track Users – 98,401
Summit members have been staying very active. The facility saw over 240,000 members come participate in trips, classes and special events over the course of 2015.
PARK PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT Tim Shinogle Manager of Planning & Development 972-237-8104
GOLF CAPITAL PROJECTS • Completed construction on a new entry sign and landscape at Prairie Lakes. Annual capital equipment purchase for maintenance equipment has been completed. • Work is progressing on construction of two park restrooms on the course.
PARK CAPITAL PROJECTS • Initiating a consultant contract for the updating of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan, which will guide the Department’s park system and facility development and renovation program through the next five to 10 years. • Selected a finalist consultant to begin the architectural design of the renovation and expansion of the Charley Taylor Recreation Center. This project will finalize the enhancement of our existing recreation center facilities. • Completed the procurement of fitness equipment for recreation centers as part of the annual CIP program. • Completed the construction of an Interlocal development project with the City of Irving for The Lone Star/Campion Connector Trail. This project provided an additional .75 miles of trail in Grand Prairie, but more importantly, connects Grand Prairie’s trail system with the City of Irving as part of the regional Velo-Web trails. • The Epic at Central Park Project, the “Life-Changing Center” and Indoor Water Park, is about to come out of the ground! Design plans are nearly complete, after nearly a year of planning, including community outreach, through Epic Encounters, numerous meetings with the consultants and multiple reviews of plans and specifications. Lew Lewis Construction, Inc., has been contracted to perform the construction of the new project. The project is slated to be completed in mid 2017.
Did you know? New trails have been added to the trail system. Users can enjoy natural path trails at the Lake Parks, semi-improved at Mountain Creek Lake Park and paved trails in a variety of locations, including the most recent, Lone Star Trail extension into Irving’s Campion Trail, near McArthur and Hunter Ferrell roads. • PlayGrand Adventures, a component of The Epic Project is in both design and “FUN-Raising” phase. This exciting all-inclusive play park is destined to be a legacy project. Master planning is nearing completion and product selection is underway.
LAKE PARKS PROJECTS • Construction has been completed on the Loyd Park Lodge and the Loyd Cabin, which expands a camper’s choice in overnight accommodations within the park. • Teaming with Public Works in the development of water and sewer main extensions for adjoining development that can provide upgraded utility services for additional camping loops at Loyd Park.
OUTCOMES • A greater variety of trails are now available with the completion of the “Natural Surface” Trail at West Lynn Creek Park and Mountain Creek Park. • Trail users now have opportunities to TREK into Arlington and Irving with the completion of trail extensions along Fish Creek Linear Park and the Lone Star Trail, which was opened in September 2015. • Greater opportunities to change lives are now available with the re-opening of the Dalworth Recreation Center. • The Epic and Epic Waters Project will surprise and excite our community with new and innovative recreation opportunities.
THY HALLO L A HETony Shotwell Life Center W N EE
CO M
worked with community groups to offer a free, healthy Halloween event. These groups included: City of Grand Prairie Transit, City of Grand Prairie Animal Services, City of Grand Prairie Libraries, City of Grand Prairie Housing, City of Grand Prairie Water, City of Grand Prairie Police, Fire and EMS, Lend A Helping Hand Incorporated, JADN Dance, MPAC Boxing, Uplift Education, Grand Prairie Girls’ Softball Association, Grand Prairie Youth Football Association, SMILE Dental, and Parkland Hospital.
MISSION S TAT E M E N T
UN M
HEALTH Y IT
Recreation Center staff attended school carnivals and community health fairs to distribute information about programs, classes, sports and special events, reaching out to over 10,000 families.
Our mission is to enhance the quality of life and to create community through people, programs, places, and partnerships. - GRAND PRAIRIE PARKS, ARTS & RECREATION
CHOOL RS FO
PACKS FUL K L C A B Dalworth Recreation Center
partnered with Lakeview Baptist Church to donate 300 backpacks full of school supplies during the 6th Annual Back to School Fair.
KSG I V I NG M N A EA H Recreation Center staff T
TH PRO U O GR Y A 23,840 Program Hours
S M
Connecting Children to Nature, 25,040 Program Hours in Health & Fitness Related Youth Programs, 87,888 Program Hours in Social Equity for Youth Programs
LS
worked with individuals, area businesses and restaurants to provide Thanksgiving meals to more than 400 children. These businesses included: Divine Grace Apostolic Church, Toastmasters, Eddlemon’s Barbeque, Outlaws Barbeque, Bridgeford Foods, Boston Market, Golden Chick, Mooyah’s Burgers, Ranger Civitan Club, Park Board Chairman, B.J. Nichols, The St. John Hope Church, Faith Lutheran Church, Carter Oliver Seniors, Lend A Helping Hand Inc., Boy Scout Troop 195.
RUTHE JACKSON CENTER Chip Nami General Manager 972-237-7501
Did you know? The RJC has hosted the Lockheed Martin President’s address for 10 years in a row and is scheduled to host in 2016.
2015 ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2015 was a great year for the RJC. We held hundreds of events, which hosted thousands of people. The Ruthe Jackson Center: • Named 2016 Best of the Knot by the Knot Wedding website. Less than 1% of vendors reviewed receive this coveted honor from the nation’s leading wedding planning and review website. This was our fourth year in a row to receive this honor. If we are able to achieve this recognition this year, next year we will enter their Hall of Fame! • Named 2015 Bride’s Choice by Wedding Wire, a leading industry review and trends website. • Hosted 77 weddings in our now six year old Wedding Garden. • Hosted 800+ events and over 75,000 people total at the RJC. • Continues to be the home for both Grand Prairie Rotary Clubs as well as the monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings. • Host to several charitable groups including: Crisis Pregnancy Center; Brighter Tomorrows; NAACP of Grand Prairie; The Grand Prairie Unity Coalition.
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Hosted more than 15 school athletic or group banquets at reduced rentals, allowing students from GPISD the opportunity to experience the beauty of the RJC. • Hosted the first two Mayor’s Community Table forums for Mayor Jensen. These events are designed to bring citizens of differing backgrounds together and to help recognize the commonality we have with one another, while still celebrating the diversity of our great city. We are honored to help this worthy initiative. The RJC just completed its 13th year of operation. While private event venues continue to open on seemingly every corner of Grand Prairie, the RJC remains the venue of choice for the most important public and private events in Grand Prairie. We are proud of our continued success and grateful to the leaders and citizens of Grand Prairie for their support.
GRAND PRAIRIE MEMORIAL GARDENS Gregg Driggers General Manager 972-237-3002
CANDLE LIGHT MEMORIAL SERVICE This year was the 11th year for our Candle Light Memorial Service at Grand Prairie Memorial Gardens. We had more than 1,100 in attendance for the service this year, the largest attendance we have ever had for this service. When we started this Candle Light Service in 2004, we only had 50 people in attendance for the inaugural service. Now, over 1,000 people attend each year. We invite one of our local ministers to come and open the Christmas Season with a message about Christmas. We also have musicians perform, and we have the Candle Lighting Service at the end.
Did you know?
It has become tradition to sing Silent Night at the end of our service, done a cappella by the congregation. After the Candle Light Service is over, we invite everyone for refreshments at the cemetery office. We provide this service to all of our families at no cost. Each year, we provide a crystal angel with the date on it in remembrance of their loved one. We also provide all candles for the Candle Light Memorial Service. All our families have to do is come and remember their loved one to start the Christmas season. This is also a good way for our staff and our families to meet each other. The service shows we all have a common bond of remembering our loved ones during Christmas. Grand Prairie Memorial Gardens staff works hard on this service each year for our families, and it shows from all of the comments we receive from our families.
2015
2004-2014
• 312 spaces sold
• 3,757 spaces sold
• 173 interments in the park
• 1,445 interments in park
• 142 markers installed
• 1,224 markers installed
We hold a yearly Candle Light Memorial Service the first Saturday of every December in remembrance of loved ones who have passed away. This year we had more than 1,100 attend the service.
BUSINESS OPERATIONS Gary Yakesch Manager of Business Operations 972-237-8178
PARK VENUE FUND
FY 2015 Parks, Arts & Recreation revenues grew 4.7% over the prior year. The revenue increase was due to increases in the Âź sales tax collections and over $232K of additional user fees throughout the division. Parks, Arts & Recreation divisions continued to operate efficiently and enact cost saving measures where appropriate. These proactive management actions and cost saving measures resulted in appropriations savings of $243K for FY 2015. The department has been able to continue to provide gold medal winning services and programs to the citizens given the changing economic conditions.
THE SUMMIT
In FY 2015 The Summit continued to brand itself as a premier active adult world-class venue. This can be seen from the financial performance for FY 2015. Revenues for the center were $1,105,081 for FY 2015; this represents a 2.75% increase over the approved budget. The revenue growth provided a 60% cost recovery, up 1% point from the budgeted cost recovery goal.
GOLF FUND
Golf operations had 72,843 total rounds played in FY 2015, a 2% increase over the prior year but an 8% shortfall to budget. Severe environmental conditions in spring due to flooding impacted the prime golf spring season. While actual revenues fell short of budget by $248K due to the flooding and rain events, management and course maintenance staff saved over $180K in cost to compensate for some of the revenue shortfalls.
CEMETERY FUND
Cemetery operations generated revenues totaling $973K for FY 2015; these revenues represent a $172K increase over the prior year and $131K increase over the approved FY 2015 budget. Expenditures of $690K exceeded appropriations by $30K; the added expenditures were due to associated flow through cost from the added revenue streams.
LAKE PARK FUND
Lake Parks operations were severely impacted in FY 2015 due to a spring flood that forced the complete closure of Lynn Creek and Britton Lake Parks and a partial closure of Loyd Park; these lake park operations were impacted from flooding and related infrastructure damage for the periods of late May 2015 through August 2015. Revenues, as a result of the floods, fell $950K short of the budget. Expenditure savings of $467K help to absorb some of the revenue shortfall. The Lake Parks Loss Of Business Insurance Policy allowed recovery of $988K in operating revenues and some associated damage cost(s). Management and staff continue to work with City Emergency Management teams and FEMA to recover damages to infrastructure and grounds from the spring floods.
Did you know?
Parks, Arts and Recreation operations generated over $22.8M in revenues for FY 2015.
FY 2015 Appropriations (Unaudited) Personnel
$6,758,389
Supplies
$663,905
Services
$3,989,610
Transfers
$1,968,808
Capital
$193,428
Debt
$2,197,917
Total
$15,672,057
The Summit Appropriations
Budget $1,822,046
Actual $1,819,246
Variance ($2,800)
Revenues
$1,075,500
$1,105,081
$29,581
Profit/ (Loss)
($746,546)
($714,165)
$32,381
Golf Fund Appropriations Revenues Profit/ (Loss)
Budget $2,893,269 $2,271,750 ($621,519)
Actual Variance $2,712,760 ($180,509) $2,023,422 ($248,328) ($689,338) ($67,819)
Cemetery Fund Appropriations Revenues Profit/ (Loss)
Budget $659,404 $842,500 $183,096
Lake Parks Fund Appropriations Revenues Profit/ (Loss)
Budget $2,612,464 $2,614,328 $1,864
Actual $690,184 $973,547 $283,363
Variance $30,780 $131,047 $100,267
Actual Variance $2,145,200 ($467,264) $1,664,040 ($950,288) ($481,160) ($483,024)
GOLF Did you know? Mark Viskozki Director of Golf 972-299-6837
Glen Sockwell Golf Professional 972-237-4156
On October 3, 1995, Tangle Ridge had to delay the start of our Media Day Grand Opening 1 hour due to WHAT? Answer…Need to come to Tangle Ridge and find out.
TANGLE RIDGE GOLF COURSE
• Even though we had record breaking rainfall and flooding, we ended up with the 3rd most rounds since transitioning to Bermuda greens with 36,257 rounds. • October 7, 2015, marked Tangle Ridge’s 20th Anniversary. • Ranked 22nd in Public Courses and voted “Most Courteous Staff” by Avid Golfer for the 3rd consecutive year. • Hosted 70+ Tournaments: Gentleman Jack/Dunham & Miller “The Ticket” Open…4th consecutive year, USGA US, Amateur Qualifier, Legends Junior Tour…North Texas Classic, Remember the Fallen, Children’s First, Grand Prairie Chamber, Midlothian Chamber, Nicklas Foundation, Angels of Everlasting Hope, GPISD Education Foundation, Lake Ridge HOA, Lakeridge HS Invitational, Midlothian HS Invitational, Seguin HS Invitational, MISD Coaches, DBU University Invitational, numerous NTPGA Junior Tournaments. • Looking forward to 2016 to host the 2016 USGA US Amateur Qualifier and 2016 Legends Junior Tour, a North Texas Classic.
PRAIRIE LAKES GOLF COURSE
• Prairie Lakes has also started a new program called “First Tee Program,” in late 2015. The program allowed teachers and students to meet for 3 Saturdays in November, and then shut down for the winter. Classes, however, will start back up in full force this upcoming spring and we are very excited about its expected success. • We also hosted the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, “Learn to Golf Clinic” as well as the Bowles, Charley Taylor and Dalworth Rec Center summer camps Learn to Golf Clinics.
LAKE PARKS Bob McGlothlin Sr. Superintendent 972-237-4130
2015 HIGHLIGHTS • Opened the new 18 room Lodge at Loyd Park. • Opened the new replica two bedroom Loyd Cabin at Loyd Park. • Successfully completed first year of operation for the Camp Store at Loyd Park. • Hosted Region II UIL Cross Country Meet at Lynn Creek Park. • Worked on disaster (flood event) recovery. • Lynn Creek Park was closed Memorial Day
Did you know?
• • • • •
weekend and did not open until Labor Day due to flooding. Britton Park was closed Memorial Day and will not open until February 27, 2016, due to flooding. Loyd Park was partially closed on Memorial Day and was fully reopened for Labor Day. Revenue fell to $1,672,446 due to flood event. Visitation fell to 210,068 park guests due to flood event. Campers and cabins accounted for 19,546 user nights.
The spring flood set a new record for flooding at 17 feet above normal pool elevation.
Did you know?
Prairie Lakes Golf Course offers online tee times on our website. We finally have evolved and our customers can now go to prairielakesgolf.com and book a tee time 24/7.
SP E CIAL E V ENTS Beverly Grogan Erin Fralicks 972-237-8392 972-237-8110
Susan Henson Mae Smith Heather Markham 972-237-8102 972-237-8107 972-237-8115
MAIN STREET FEST
9th Grade Center, Jackson Middle School and Zavala Elementary attended the ceremony and planting competition at Kirby Creek • Over 15,000 guests enjoyed the 4th Annual Main Street Fest Nature Center. in downtown Grand Prairie. • The children planted 20 trees in teams of 10 from each school. • Main Street Fest received 11 statewide awards and was named They were judged and trophies were given to each team to the “Zenith Festival of the Year: #3 Best Festival in the State of designate where they placed in the competition. This is the first Texas” by the Texas Festivals and Events Association. children’s competition held in this area and we are sure it won’t be • This year’s event kicked off the city-wide Live Life Grand the last! Campaign with entertainment, cake decorating contest and the introduction of the jingle and entire campaign by Mayor • 1,500 trees were distributed at Arbor Day and Veterans Day; the trees had been processed for distribution by The Summit members Ron Jensen. who also helped distribute to all that attended. • Vendor participation was at an all-time high, with more than 85 vendors and sponsor booths at the event. • In conjunction with Get Fit Grand Prairie, Main Street Fest hosted FLIGHT OF THE MONARCH the Get Fit 5K and “Chase the Chiefs” 1 Mile Fun Run on the • An estimated of more than 5,000 participated in the 3rd annual celebration. Saturday morning of festival. • More than 17 community partners engaged in teaching and sharing information on the Monarch Butterfly. EPIC GRANDBREAKING CELEBRATION • More than 4,000 guests attended The Epic Grandbreaking • Our recreation centers engaged children throughout summer camp in a banner art contest. Their art was displayed throughout the event. Celebration in October. • Mayor Ron Jensen announced and revealed The Epic plans for • The GPISD Fine Arts Academy High School and Middle School students created 27 chalk art pieces showing different stages of the first time to the public. the Monarch Butterfly. • The event welcomed more than 10 Epic project team members • More than 3,000 children took part in the “Nature Explorer” from out of state for the celebration. passport. They walked through the event learning about the life • Events attendees were able take their photos with The Epic cycle, migration, habitat, environmental issues and fun facts. photo display. The display will be a part of the actual facility, • Hands on observation at three butterfly releases. Over 750 when built in 2017! butterflies were released into the wild to head to Mexico.
HATCH CHILE FESTIVAL
PRAIRIE LIGHTS • Another year of 4,000 hatches SOLD OUT! • Vendor participation was strong, with more than 10 community • Prairie Lights 2015 was closed for 6 ½ DAYS due to flood waters at Lake Joe Pool and a tornado threat. However, city departwide vendors at the event. ments all banded together and an alternate road within the park • Festival goers enjoyed the sounds and entertainment provided was built, using recycled asphalt. The Parks team restaged many by the Crawfish Band and Amor A Nuestra Cultura Ballet displays along the new road, and as a result, provided many days Folklorica dancers. of Holiday enjoyment for the guests. A new title sponsor, Breeze Energy, came on board in 2015 as well. CRAWFISH BOIL FESTIVAL • In spite of the closures, we still had 28 businesses, service clubs, • Another year of 1,000 lbs. of crawfish SOLD OUT! school organizations and community groups bring volunteers to • Vendor participation was strong with more than 15 community ensure that Grand Prairie hospitality was shared. wide vendors at the event. • A new laser and video immersion show, Cosmic Holiday!, was • Thousands attended and enjoyed live music from the Crawfish introduced in the Holiday Magic! Theater and was well received. Band. • Named as the #2 holiday attraction in the State of Texas, coming in behind the San Antonio Riverwalk. VETERANS EVENTS • This year the Veterans Day ceremony was attended by all three • Received unprecedented positive media exposure, highlighting the efforts of the city to reopen and preserve holiday plans for of our State Representatives. so many . • Celebrations on Memorial Day and Veterans Day were once again enjoyed by large crowds, despite weather challenges • For the third consecutive year, $1 million dollars was grossed by on Veterans Day when we moved inside to a record number this popular tourist attraction for Grand Prairie. of veterans attending! • Partnership with local Rotary Clubs continues as free hot dog GARDENING CLASSES lunch was provided. Spring gardening classes began on Feb. 25 and ran through March • Traditional elements of the celebration continue to flourish and 24. Approximately 230 people attended the five classes offered. The develop along with our customs as new elements are added subjects ranged from vegetable gardening to native and adaptive for each ceremony! plant material. A second series of fall gardening classes were offered Sept. 8-29. The fall series ,which included Pruning with a Purpose, GoARBOR DAY ing Native and Fall into Vegetable Gardening, had an attendance of • Grand Prairie was recognized as the third oldest Tree City around 120 people. With around 350 people attending, we can be USA in Texas, celebrating 32 years. sure that Grand Prairie will be a more beautiful and environmentally • Over 600 children from South Grand Prairie High School, the friendly city while saving water!
FA R M E R S MA R K ET
#1 in Texas - Top 10 in the US By American Farmland Trust
Did you know? The Grand Prairie Farmers Market hosted its first ever Celebrity Cooking Challenge this year. This surprisingly intense, tasty competition between eight of Grand Prairie’s local celebrities over two weekends, culminated with Mayor Ron Jensen prevailing over City Manager Tom Hart in the finals to take home the Grand prize for his charity. Look for this event to return in 2016 as well! With another great year of fun, food and events, the Grand Prairie Farmers Market was more popular than ever with visitors and customers in 2015. In fact, the GP Farmers Market was voted #1 in Texas and Top 10 Farmers Markets in the US, according to the results of a survey by the American Farmland Trust. Specifically, the 2015 GPFM featured local vendors and farmers offering a wide array of produce, food, crafts and local interest products. Cooking demonstrations, local restaurant showcases and weekly live entertainment were once again a big hit at the Farmers Market during the 2015 season. This year featured great events like the annual Crawfish Boil, Hatch Chile Fest and the always popular Halloween event, Street and Treat. This year, we hosted a car and bike show, the first ever Jeep show, art classes, the Empty Bowls fundraiser and many more Grand events. Expect all of those Grand events to return, as well as many more surprises to come during the 2016 season. The 2016 season will launch April 2, 2016; be sure to come out and enjoy a sensory overload of sights, sounds, tastes and smells every Saturday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
U PT OWN THEATER Doug Voet Downtown Arts and Uptown Supervisor 972-237-8112 The Uptown has just finished a record breaking year of attendance and revenue. 2015 marked the return of our presenting series format sponsored by our Mayor Ron Jensen and his wife. We were happy to provide a wonderfully varied set of offerings that seemed to resonate well with our audience base. As has been in the past, Grand Prairie Arts Council continued to present their season and additional activities on property. In addition, Dallas Summer Musicals Academy has made the Uptown their performance home and the Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy and Whitt Performing Arts Academy, both GPISD, have used the Uptown a number of times this past year. We are happy to report our property hosted “Main Street Musicals,” a three day festival that highlighted new musical offerings headed for Broadway. DFW’s own Betty Buckley is on the board of adjudicators and will be lending more support to the Uptown in 2016. The lobby gallery continued to showcase art shows from The Summit Seniors, Grand Prairie Arts Association, Grand Prairie
Did you know? The Uptown Theater annually hosts “Noche de Navidad”, a program that raises money to feed and gift homeless families in Grand Prairie over the holiday season…this year, $10,000.00 was raised.
Arts Council, the Cinco de Mayo festival and the PAARD sponsored “Grand Showcase…Celebrating the Artist Within”. We offered numerous concerts, dance recitals, fund raisers and film premiers throughout the year. We were also a popular venue for graduations, parties and meetings. This year, the Main Stage and Ultra-Lounge have presented a number of original self-produced productions. The future of any successful theater should encourage innovative and exciting creativity, which proudly we do. Mama’s Party continues to be an area staple… “If you are anywhere on a Monday night it should be at the Uptown, Grand Prairie.” It brings great pride when we hear that our property is a continued favorite of performers, producers and patrons. 2016 will not disappoint!
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS S P E C I A L E VE NTS
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Kelly Eddlemon 972-237-8339
Brandon Huether 972-237-8355
PHOTOS
• Pictures taken at special events – 10,000+
CREATIVE PROMOTIONS
• The Epic Grandbreaking Ceremony promotion was sent via JoinTheEpic.com blog subscribers to bring a copy of their email to the event to redeem a free T-Shirt. All T-Shirts were redeemed! • Released “PlayGrand Adventures” video premiere and hosted kick-off event to initiate a fundraising campaign for park development. • Released “Grand Central: An Epic Destination” video premiere at The Epic GrandBreaking Celebration • Launched a 9&Dine campaign at Prairie Lakes Golf Course in April, which has resulted in hundreds of new rounds. • Assisted in the launch of online tee times at Prairie Lakes Golf Course.
• Life is Grand – The 52-page magazine mailed to all city residences – That’s more than 60,000 homes receiving each issue. • Rack Cards/Fliers/Postcards – 250,000 distributed • Pipeline Newsletter – 43,000+ distributed per month
WEBSITES
• GrandFunGP.com – 327,587 • PrairieLights.org – 200,494 • PrairieLakesGolf.com – 27,138 • UptownTheaterGP.com – 28,732 • RutheJacksonCenter.com – 30,647 • GrandPrairieMemorialGardens.com – 4,795 • MainStreetFest.com – 18,763 • JoinTheEpic.com – 18,451 • GrandGolfDeals.com – 866 (Partial data) Redesigned and launched two websites: • PrairieLakesGolf.com • GrandPrairieMemorialGardens.com
EMAIL AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Total of 24,621 in master e-mail list (as of 1/11/16) • Grand Fun Club – 8,452 members • Grand Golf Gang – 6,066 members • Uptown Insider – 3,752 members • Summit e-Club – 1,732 members • Farmers Market – 429 • Lake Parks – 6,445 • 5K Runners – 2,538 • These lists are continually purged to eliminate bounced emails as well as those who wish to unsubscribe. 2015 calendar year stats: • 661,242 total emails sent
21.62% Average Open Rate (142,956) 1.65% Average Clicks to URLs within the emails (10,935)
Social Media: • Facebook fans (as of Sept. 30, 2015) • /GrandFunGP – 5,975-4,819 (+1,156 from 2014) • /PrairieLights – 9,958-9,946 (+12 from 2014) • /UptownTheaterGrandPrairie – 4,275-3,687 (+588 from 2014) • /TheSummitGPTX – 1,678-1,538 (+140 from 2014) • /LynnCreekPark – 4,686-3,497 (+1,189 from 2014) • /LoydPark – 2,565-1,611 (+954 from 2014) • Twitter Followers (as of Jan. 11, 2016)** • @GrandFunGP – 2,406-1,626 (+780 from 2014) • @PrairieLights – 960-702 (+336 from 2014) • Instagram Followers (as of Jan. 11, 2016)** • @GrandFunGP – 329-95 (+79 from 2014) • @PrairieLights – 343-202 (+258 from 2014) • YouTube Channel (as of Jan. 11, 2016)** • /GrandFunGP – 120,210-91,472 total views (+28,738 from 2014) **based on 2015 Calendar Year
SIGNS AROUND TOWN
• New digital signs at main city gateways promote city events • 11 locations throughout the city used to promote special events • Signs around town rated as one of the top ways that people receive information on special events.
BILLBOARDS ON I-20 AND I-30
• Prairie Lights, RJC Bridal Show, Farmers Market, Main Street Fest, Prairie Lakes, Flight of the Monarch, Loyd Park Lodge
LOOKING AHEAD
• Launching new GrandFunGP.com website! • Assist department in earning CAPRA certification.
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Kelly Eddlemon and Brandon Huether were guest speakers on the NRPA network nationwide round-table conference call regarding marketing in parks and recreation. Kelly Eddlemon and Brandon Huether were speakers at the 2015 TRAPS North Region Conference in Fort Worth, TX, in the session titled “Evaluate Your Website: Your Customers Need It!” Brandon Huether won the Best Cover Design, Best Billboard, and Best Promotional Brochure from the Texas Festival & Events Association (TFEA) for Grand Prairie Main Street Fest. With the help of Kelly Eddlemon and Brandon Huether’s marketing efforts, Grand Prairie Farmers Market was voted as the #1 farmers market in Texas, and in the top 10 nationwide.
P arks B oards & Commissions Parks, Arts and Recreation Board
The Parks and Recreation Board is a ninemember advisory board to the City Council on parks, recreation and related developments. John Stewart B.J. Nichols (Chair) Sallye Moore (CoChair) Van Della Menifee
Emita Garcia Jonathan Head Dr. Tony Lawrence Jerry Partain Jim Dart
Commission on Aging
The Commission on Aging is an advisory committee that makes recommendations to the City Council regarding the senior population in Grand Prairie. Delores Tidwell Jack Cooper Greg Wiggins Clint Rusch Gary Hill
Robert Murphy Ray Bush Carlton Adams Marty Brownlie
City of Grand Prairie Parks, Arts & Recreation is a proud member of ...
NRPA Gold Medal Winner 326 W. Main Street • Grand Prairie, TX 75050 972-237-8100 • GrandFunGP.com
2 0 1 5 A wa r d s
TFEA-Marketing Award for 2015 Main Street Fest • #3 Best Festivals in Texas (Zenith Award) • First Place - Best Contingency Plan and Public Safety Utilized at an Event • First Place - Best Sponsorship Solicitation Package • First Place - Best Event Billboard • First Place - Best Event Program • First Place - Best Event Cover Page • Second Place - Best Misc. Multimedia • Second Place - Best Print Material • Third Place - Best Event Invitation • Third Place - Best Event Website • Third Place - Best Brochure TFEA “Rookie of the Year”- Erin Fralicks WeddingWire-Couples Choice Award - Ruthe Jackson Center Rick Herold “Commitment to Excellence” GPISD Beverly Grogan, “Citizen of the Year” Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce Rick Herold, “Man of the Year” Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce The Summit - Texas Recreation and Parks Society Heidi Miller, “Young Professional of the Year” Texas Recreation and Parks Society
NRPA National Recreation & Park Association TRAPS Texas Recreation & Park Society TAAF Texas Amateur Athletic Federation TFEA Texas Festival and Events USSSA United States Specialty Sports Association Tree City USA (30 years) Playful City USA (6 years)
Duane Strawn, “Parks Professional of the Year” Texas Recreation and Parks Society Mariana Espinoza, “Supervisor of the Year” City of Grand Prairie Tim Shinogle, “Manager of the Year” City of Grand Prairie Susan Henson, “Employee of the Year” City of Grand Prairie Texas Recreation & Parks Society Northern Region “2015 Facility Excellence Design Award” for Dalworth Recreation Center