4 minute read
CITY OF WYLIE
Making Memories on the Fields
by Craig Kelly
Next time your child stands in the batter’s box, scores her first goal, catches the game-winning touchdown, or makes a new friend on the field, don’t forget the team behind the games that make it possible for these moments to happen. The 19 members of the Wylie Parks and Recreation Maintenance crew work hard each day to maintain and prepare 117 acres of athletic fields located primarily at Founders Park and Community Park.
The 24 soccer, baseball, softball, and football fields host approximately 3,800 games a year, with more than 20,000 total participants, not counting those in attendance rooting on their favorite players. The high demand for Wylie sports fields means there is no shortage of maintenance and preparation to ensure a great playing experience.
Making fields playable begins with year-round treatment of the turf including fertilizers and pre- and post-emergent weed applications, irrigation installation and maintenance, aeration, seeding, and mowing, oftentimes twice a week during peak season. Daily activities during the season include striping, dragging the infields, and maintenance of fencing, dugouts, and other facilities. There’s also trash to empty and bathrooms to be cleaned.
Every Parks Maintenance team member plays a part in readying the fields, but sports field tech Aaron Clampitt takes it personally. During the interview and photo session, one of the crew members commented, “He thinks he owns the fields.” A positive comment reflecting the dedication and care and pride he takes, along with the whole Parks team, knowing the importance of quality fields to the coaches, participants, and spectators.
“It’s gratifying to look out on a busy weekend and see the hundreds of kids and families making memories on ‘our’ fields,” said Parks Supervisor Rico Govea. “I am thankful that we can be a small part of what makes Wylie a great place to live and play.”
The work doesn’t stop with the sports fields. The City of Wylie has 648 acres of parkland and open space, across 34 parks. There are 17.8 miles of trails, 19 playgrounds, 11 pavilions, a skate park, a disc golf course, a cricket pitch, sand volleyball courts, and tennis courts. The crew of 19 is also responsible for the maintenance and plantings of medians on Hwy. 78, FM 544, Brown Street, and other divided roads. The parks crews also plant seasonal color at locations throughout the city including municipal buildings and historic downtown Wylie.
They are proud to be a part of projects like the Veteran’s Memorial in Olde City Park and the Library Garden behind the Municipal Complex along the walking trail. Parks crews have also been directly involved in several playground replacement projects, saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. Wylie has added five parks over the past five years with future plans for more.
Parks Supervisor Archie Whitt and Rico have each been with the city for 21 years. Rico joked that he was the senior member because he started the day before Archie since his paperwork was processed faster. They both praised the talented, passionate team they call family, who wear many hats and “do an incredible job with all the crew have on their plate.”
The sense of family and camaraderie among the parks crew was evident during the interview as the guys laughed and joked telling stories about their work and co-workers. One such story about their boss Parks Manager Brent Stowers, who was unable to attend the interview, gives the team motivation and inspiration. Brent started as a summer intern many years ago and worked his way up to manager after gaining experience and knowledge on many levels.
Archie’s roots in Wylie’s parks go back to 1980 when his family moved to the city. He remembers playing on the old merry-goround in Kirby Park as a child. In 2005, after a tree took it out, he made a promise to himself that he’d replace it because it held so many memories. He followed through on that promise and a generation of new kids, including his two daughters, have laughed and played on the merry-go-round in Kirby Park. He hopes future children experience the same joy. Archie joked that it’s still his job to inspect the playgrounds and perform quality control checks on the equipment, including the merrygo-round.
The Parks and Rec Maintenance crew hope you have a great time playing and visiting Wylie parks. Watch for future projects including two splash pads on the East and West sides of town and a dog park near the Municipal Complex. Get more details on Parks and Recreation opportunities, and specific park amenities at WylieTexas.gov/Parks.
