Did you know? - The City of Grand Prairie Parks and Recreation Home

THE 2014 PARKS, ARTS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
2014 was another grand year!
Lives were touched, and lives were
changed. Community was created
through our various major special
events. The past was re-imagined with
the grand re-opening of the Dalworth
Recreation Center. And, the future
came to life with the bond passage
for The EPIC Project at Central Park.
program” developed through the GPISD. Staff Member
Mariana Espinoza was named one of the top young professionals in the country. We prewired our film, “Grand Prairie
Parks, Arts and Recreation: A Community Celebration!” We
held numerous events, with many reaching “sold out status.”
I remember 6,000 diverse citizens singing and dancing
together the Friday of Main Street Fest, thousands coming
out for butterfly releases, and millions of people using our
Parks, Lake Parks, and our 5,000 acres of parks last year.
And, we must mention record-smashing revenue at our Lake
Parks and Prairie Lights.
It’s important to let our City Council,
Parks Board and Citizens know that 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 by delivering World Class Service
once again in 2015. Our staff worked every day of the
year in 2014, something you don’t often say about a Parks
and Recreation Department; however, it is something we
are quite proud of!
In thinking of this year’s report, I coined a quote, which to
me talks about Grand Prairie, “Some say take the road less
traveled, in Grand Prairie we often just blaze a new road.”
That is what I feel is ahead for our community.
You hear me say it, 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 a 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!
With all the grand accomplishments, which will be singled out
in our fifth annual report, no question, the passage of The
EPIC was a highlight. How many lives will these improvements
change beginning Memorial Day 2017? I predict tens of
thousands. It will set the stage, just like its sister, The Summit,
in how facilities will be thought of, dreamed about and built.
Ground Breaking: Late 2015!
GO
LD MED
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Respectfully,
RE
F O RK
PA
Our department received nationwide acclaim for Park
Board Chairman B. J. Nichols “summer e-reading and games
Grand Prairie, Texas is becoming “America’s Playground,”
and we are so glad to be part of the excitement!
A RD
AW
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 care-takers 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. It is no easy task!
X
AN CEL
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D R LENCE IN THE AGE
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ECR
EATION MA
Rick Herold
Director of Parks, Arts and Recreation
National Recreation and Parks Association
Gold Medal Winning Department
PARK MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS
Duane Strawn
Manager of Parks & Lake
972-237-8106
Did you know?
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PARK MAINTENANCE 972-262-0071
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Parks Maintained – 43 parks (1,225 acres)
Medians and Right of Ways Maintained – 431 acres
Newly maintained area Park and Ride – 5.710 acres
Newly maintained Lake Ridge Extension – 20.073 acres
(19 million square feet)
Median/Right of Way Beds – 220,000 square feet
Trails Maintained – 10.5 miles
Renovated 5 park basketball courts
Renovated 3 park restrooms
Re-striped 17 parking lots
ATHLETIC MAINTENANCE 972-266-5984
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49 Athletic fields maintained
Hosted 33 tournaments
Lined 1,115 fields for league games
Lined 1,398 fields for tournament play
Renovated field #4 at McFall’s West
Replaced 21 shade structures on athletic fields
The Parks Maintenance Irrigation Division maintains one of
the largest irrigation components in North Texas, with more
than 13,000 irrigation parts.
The Gold Medal Winning Parks Department maintains the
grounds for 23 city facilities to go along with the 43 parks
maintained throughout the city. We maintain a total of 67
park facilities.
GATEWAYS
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Bed renovations – 5
2,000 feet of blank irrigation tubing
3 new valve installations
10 irrigation valve renovations
1 interspec Motorola Centralized Irrigation System Clock
120 micro sprays installed
Planted more than 12,000 annuals
50 perennials/5 shrubs installed at City Hall
Planted 3 Cedar Elm trees in the downtown area
10 Ornamental Shrubs installed in pots downtown area
20 cubic feet of crushed granite installed at Stanton
Gardens
• 100 feet of fence re-painted at Stanton Gardens
• 320 cubic feet of Pine Bark Mulch installed in beds
• 4 herb garden planters replaced at the Summit
R ECR EATION DIVISION
Danny Boykin
Superintendent of Recreation
972-237-8084
AQUATICS
972-263-8174
• User Visits – 88,313 (All outdoor pools were closed one day a
week and the Natatorium was closed for 3 weeks for renovations)
• Swim Lessons Registrants – 4,015
• Splash Swim Team – 53 swimmers, 6 of whom qualified and
swam at the State Swim Meet
• Facility Rentals - 438
• Daily Use Admissions - 46,118
• Special Events – World’s Largest Swim Lesson Participant, Pumpkin Swim, Easter Egg Swim, Doggie Splash Day and 6 swim meets
• 321 children took advantage of the free open swim passes they
received for reading during the summer
• 38 Day Cares/Camps stayed cool at our pools, including our
own Recreation Center camps and Zavalla Elementary
• Recovered 49.8% of operational costs (1.3% increase from
2013)
ATHLETICS
972-237-7533
User visits per practice, game and tournaments – 285,376
5,925 scheduled games on 38 fields and 5 gyms
Athletic rentals revenue increased by 37%
Other sports leagues revenue increased by 33%
Youth soccer league doubled in size
Co-hosted USSSA 9AAA, 10AAA, 11AA, 11AAA, 12AA, 12AAA,
13AA, 13AAA, 14AAA, and 15AAA Word Series with GP Boys
Baseball
• Co-hosted NAGAA softball tournament that involved 40 teams
over 3 days at Mike Lewis Park
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SPECIAL EVENTS
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972-237-8110
Community Celebration Premier – 300+
Lake Joe Pool Pumpkin Run – 3,000+
Get Fit 5K & “Chase The Chiefs” 1 Mile Fun Run – 1,000+
Street-N-Treat at Market Square – 4,500+
Prairie Lights Sneak-A-Peek Run/Walk/Bike – 3,000+
Prairie Lights – 190,000+ visitors, 33,700+ vehicles
Spring Kid Fishing Day – 700+
Arbor Day Celebration – 1000+
Easter Egg-Stravaganza – 4,500+
April Concerts in the Park – 5,000+
Main Street Festival – 12,500+
Cinco de Mayo – 6,000+
Dalworth Re-Grand Opening Celebrations – 850+
Purple Martin Celebration – 300+
Crawfish Festival Farmers Market – 2,500+
Farmers Market Car & Bike Show – 350+
Parks and Recreation Night at the AirHogs – 2,000+
Juneteenth Celebration – 600+
Hatch Chile Festival Farmers Market – 3,000+
Fall Kid Fishing Day – 450+
Flight of the Monarch– 6,000+
Veteran’s Day – 500+
Memorial Day – 500+
The Grand Showcase – 150+
Holiday Tree Lighting – 750+
TRAPS North Regional Conference – 500+
Did you know?
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The Kirby Creek Natatorium’s Learn to Swim program had approximately 800 children progress to a level where they could independently swim.
The athletic department co-hosted the 2014 NAGAA National
Softball tournament, which included 161 teams from several
states along with the 300+ team USSSA World Series.
The City of Grand Prairie Parks, Arts & Recreation Department offered more than 315 hours of special events in 2014!
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 972-237-8112
• Pavilion/User Visits – 44,978
• Jennifer McFalls Building/User Visits – 2,025
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TONY SHOTWELL LIFE CENTER
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972-237-7529
User Visits – 172,331
2,500+ participants attended special events
225 facility rentals, 13,603 people attended rentals
Membership revenue increased by 10%
Class revenue increased by 10%
Camp revenue increased by 18%
Partnered with the Grand Prairie Independent School District to
host its 3rd Special Needs Summer Camp
CHARLEY TAYLOR REC. CENTER
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972-264-6890
User Visits –160,033
1,020+ participants attended special events
90 facility rentals, 4,700 participants attended rentals
Membership revenue increased by 12%
Generated $864 in donations for community projects
Hosted 17th Annual Daddy Daughter Dance at the Ruthe Jackson
Center, with 280 participants
Polling location for local, state and national elections
Back to School giveaway of 250 backpacks full of school supplies from donations by Hands to Hands Inc.
Children’s Thanksgiving Dinner fed more than 100 children all
from donations by Screen Fab Inc., Taxco Produce, and Hands
to Hands Inc.
3 to 6-year-old tee-ball, indoor and outdoor soccer, and basketball grass roots leagues – 450 participants
DALWORTH REC. CENTER 972-264-7670
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Did you know?
User Visits – 5,975
1,650+ people attended special events
35 facility rentals, 900 attended rentals
Membership revenue increased by 10%.
Welcomed 415 members within two months of re-opening
Camp revenue increased by 38%
Brought in $2,000 in donations for back to school supplies
The Dalworth Recreation Center partnered with Daughters
Love #11 and the Grand Prairie NAACP to offer two community health fairs, serving more than 600 people and 60
vendors
• Back to School Carnival gave away 300 backpacks full of
school supplies from donations
• Community Thanksgiving Dinner fed more than 100 children
and provided 30 free turkey meals to families, all from
donations
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The Tony Shotwell Life Center hosted its 7th Annual Diez Y Seis
Celebration in recognition of Mexico’s Independence Day.
The Bowles Park Trail is the best kept secret park in Grand
Prairie! It is a great place to walk, run and roller-skate.
Charley Taylor Recreation Center’s Ballet Folklorico Class, Amor
A Nuestro Cultura, won three state awards this year.
The Dalworth Recreation Center’s “Just Say No” program has
been running since 1984.
The Recreation Centers offer a health and fitness camp, fishing
camp, e-reading, golf camp and lego camp, during the summer,
in addition to Summer Day Camp.
Mike Lewis Park is Grand Prairie’s most frequently rented
pavilion location.
RECREATION CENTER HIGHLIGHTS
• The Dalworth Recreation Center re-opened its doors after a
nearly two year, $4 million renovation. Approximately 900
people attended the Grand Re-Opening Ribbon Cutting and
Grand Celebration Events.
• The recreation centers served more than 515 turkey meals to
kids and families with donations from Taxco Produce, Screen
Fab, Lend A Helping Hand International, Livestone Lodge, and
Victory Outreach Church.
• The Recreation Centers partnered with the Summit to offer a
first-time event, Grand Quince “15th Birthday Celebration.”
This was a 6-week program that focused on college prep,
etiquette, fitness, careers and service learning. The program
cumulated with an all sponsored Grand Quincenera for four
14 and 15-year-olds. Nine different businesses and individuals donated to make the program possible, totaling more than
$5,075 in donations.
• Summer Camp’s Theatre Dance Day was featured in the May
Issue of Park and Recreation Business Magazine, a magazine
that reaches more than 30,000 readers! 180 children participated in the summer ‘14 performance that was held at Grand
Prairie’s Historic Uptown Theatre.
• Recreation Center staff partnered with GPISD using curriculum from PBS Kids to offer an Outdoor Exploration event
for Grand Prairie’s youngest learners, 4-5 years. Over 70
children took part in outdoor exploration.
• Recreation Center’s Dance Classes performed at many community events. Some classes competed in state competitions
and bought home seven State Awards in 2014!
• The Tony Shotwell Life Center hosted a “Healthy Halloween”
Event, Trick or Trail along the Bowles Park Trail. This event
welcomed more than 35 vendors and 1,000+ participants.
T HE SU MM IT
Linda Long
General Manager
972-237-8243
HIGHLIGHTS
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The Summit has more than 5,000 members
The Summit had a revenue record of $1.140M
Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital is the exclusive Healthcare provider of The Summit
The Summit, along with Dallas Area Agency on Aging, provided
25,000 meals for the Congregate Meal program and 17,000 rides
were given for the transportation program
GIVING BACK
Volunteers are vital to The Summit’s daily operations. 100 volunteers gave 22,000+ hours of volunteer service, saving the city approximately $250,000.
The Summit members are giving back to the community by participating in philanthropic programs such as:
• Angel Tree – Summit members adopted 150 seniors from 2 local nursing homes
• Canned Food & Coat Drive – Summit members generously donated coats and canned foods for families in need. 300 pounds of
food were donated and 100+ coats and sweaters!
• Scholarships were given to 98 Grand Prairie residents so that they experience the healthy benefits of a Summit membership!
• Parkland Baby Christmas Stocking – 25 stocking were sewn and decorated for the neonatal unit for newborn Christmas Eve and
Christmas babies!
SPECIAL EVENTS
• USO Big Band Veterans Dance
• Sock Hop
• Concerts in the Park
AQUATICS AND FITNESS
• 50+ Expo
• Marty Party
• Valentine Dinner & Dance
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quatic Users – 59,195
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Gym Users – 27,209
Fitness Class Users – 11,720
Weight Room and Track Users – 102,924
Did you know?
Summit members are getting more active! The Summit saw an increase in
building usage from 239,000 in 2013 to 257,558 in 2014. That is an
18,558 unit increase over the previous year.
PARK PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Tim Shinogle
Manager of Planning & Development
972-237-8104
GOLF CAPITAL PROJECTS
• Completed construction on a 5,000 square foot maintenance
building that replaces an approximately 2,000 square foot
structure that was constructed in the mid 1980s, at Prairie Lakes
Golf Club. This new facility houses staff offices, the mechanic’s
shop and equipment storage.
• Construction is underway on a new entry sign and landscape at
Prairie Lakes. Anticipated completion in spring 2015.
• Annual capital equipment purchase for golf maintenance equipment has been completed.
• Irrigation Station software system upgrade is underway.
PARK CAPITAL PROJECTS
• The updated Dalworth Recreation Center was “Re-Opened”
to the public on December 3, 2014. The expanded recreation
center (18,878 sq. ft.), provides separated dance, fitness,
game room, study room and meeting rooms. The gym was also
expanded and the design of the building allowed for the development of a courtyard playground.
• Kirby Creek Natatorium received a new plaster shell. The old
pool vinyl liner was removed, providing more secured footing
for our patrons.
• Staff has partnered with the Transportation Department in the
development of a citywide ‘On-Road’ Bicycle Master Plan. The
plan is anticipated to be completed in the spring of 2015.
• The Lone Star/Campion Connector Trail is currently under
construction. It will further expand pedestrian and bike trail
opportunities in Grand Prairie.
• The EPIC Project at Central Park, the “Life-Changing Center”
and Indoor Water Park, began with a tremendously successful
sales tax referendum that passed in May 2014. Since that time,
the architectural consultant firm of HKS Architects, Dallas, Texas,
has been contracted to perform the master planning and design
services, and the construction manager at risk firm of Lew Lewis
Construction, Inc., has been contracted to perform the construction
of the new project. Design should be completed in the fall of
2015 and construction commences with an anticipated completion in late spring of 2017.
Did you know?
The Grand Prairie Park System provides more than 30 locations
for your family to enjoy outdoor playgrounds. Try one out on
a nice day!
MEMORIAL CEMETERY PROJECTS
• The Columbarium Project construction was completed and formally opened in the spring of 2014. This 880 above ground
niche facility provides additional internment options for our
citizens. Further development will include in-ground cremation
niches within the Gardens area.
LAKE PARKS PROJECTS
• Construction of the Loyd Park Lodge and the Loyd House rental
units for the public is nearing completion.
• The existing meeting room was converted to the “Camp Store,”
offering food, beverages and camping supplies to park patrons
• Bids have been received for the repairs to the retaining wall at
Lynn Creek, adjacent to the marina.
OUTCOMES
• Greater variety of trails are now available with the completion of the ‘Natural Surface’ Trail at West Lynn Creek Park and
Mountain Creek Park.
• Convenience and long trekking will soon be added to the north
segment of the city when the Grand Prairie trail system will be
connected to the Irving trail system after the completion of the
Lone Star/Campion Trail Project.
• The public spoke and the staff listened as the opening of the
renovated Dalworth Recreation Center illustrated numerous
requests that were incorporated into the building, including
separated meeting rooms and game rooms, a ‘Quiet’ Room for
computers and after school study space, expanded gym space,
aerobics/dance room and expanded fitness. A bonus at the
center includes the courtyard playground.
IE L I GHTS
R
I
A
Lights is delighted
PRto sharePrairie
some of its good fortune with
MEMORIA
LG
Candle Light
A
Memorial Service:
During this ceremony, families
can honor the deceased who have
found their final resting place at our
park. This program includes a Christmas
Message from one of our local
ministers, a candle lighting and music.
We provide remembrance glass
angels for the families, candles
and refreshments.
S
EN
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several non-profits around town. We give auction items
to many fund raising events, such as Children First Little
Lunch of Horrors, LifeLine Shelter’s Freedom Lunch, the
Chamber of Commerce’s Taste of Grand Prairie Auction,
GP Police Academy Association’s tribute to the Police
department, Dallas Children’s Charities Margarita Ball
and Grand Prairie’s First Presbyterian’s Carnival. The
Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce provides the
opportunity to see Santa and have pictures made at
Prairie Lights; this is one of its larger fund raisers. This
year, non-profits were invited to promote their agencies
and raise funds. We work with several groups for
discounts so that the less fortunate get to come and
experience those holiday memories at Prairie Lights.
We also annually award a scholarship to one of
our student volunteers.
MISSION
S TAT E M E N T
E
NC
IONS AND A SS
T
A GPISD Career Technology I S
N
O Program Assistance. Scholarships TA
D and Auctions. Dogwood Canyon Audubon
Society. Cedar Hill ISD. National Property
Managers. Donations to: GPISD, Brighter Tomorrows,
Texas Recreation and Parks Society, Grand Prairie
Realtors, Urban Forestry, GP Police Dept., Soroptimist,
NAACP, Stars of Texas, Lifeline Sheltor,
Realtor’s in DFW, Carter Blood Drive, Women’s Center,
United Way, Lamar High School,
Texas Motor Speedway, GP United Charities.
Our mission is to enhance the
quality of life and to create
community through people,
programs, places, and
partnerships.
- GRAND PRAIRIE PARKS, ARTS & RECREATION
RECREATION CENTERS GIVE... More than 500 high school students were given the op-
Ufund raiser to feed, clothe and gift 350 people
TR
in our community who are in need during the holidays.
Jam 2 Jesus: Grand Prairie produced gospel program designed to get
young people off drugs and into church programs. DCET-FLY Program:
International leadership program wrapped around Ballet Folklorico.
Platters Experience: Joint funding with our local NAACPA Veteran’s Day
program. Web Based Radio Stations: Both locally owned and operated
KNON and Fishbowl Network became active partners in creating
programing to build Uptown patronage in 2014. Dallas Fort Worth
Symphony Brass Ensemble: Joint funding with Grand Prairie Arts council
to honor our veterans.
ONF E R ENCE
C
S
P
During the 2014
A year, the staff
was asked to host the
2014 Texas Recreation and Parks Society North
Regional Conference. Over 6 months, the staff led a
committee of 15 professionals from the DFW metroplex
and planned an extraordinary conference in November. The city
of Grand Prairie Parks, Arts and Recreation Department hosted
more than 500 TRAPS members, students, exhibitors and
professionals at Lone Star Park, for a day of education,
awards and fun. Thank you to TRAPS, Lone Star Park and the
Parks, Arts and Recreation staff for a great event.
ACKSON CEN
J
E $65,000 in discounts
T
H
per
year
to
Rotary
clubs
and
T
ER
N THEATER
W
O
T
P Noche de Navidad: annual
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portunity to volunteer and become more active in their community. Partnered with the Grand Prairie Independent School District and provided
8,100+ meals to the Summer Campers from the Tony Shotwell Life Center, Charley Taylor Recreation Center and Dalworth Recreation Center.
Recreation Center staff from Charley Taylor Recreation Center and Dalworth Recreation Center worked with area businesses and restaurants
to provide Thanksgiving meals to more than 515 children! Dalworth Recreation Center partnered with Grand Prairie Lake View Baptist
Church to provide $2,000 worth of school supplies to children. The recreation centers partnered with Hand to Hand, Inc. to give more than
300 children backpacks full of school supplies. The Dalworth Recreation Center partnered with Daughters Love #11 and the Grand Prairie
NAACP to offer two community health fairs, serving over 600 people and 60 vendors. Recreation Center staff programmed and offered
five young ladies all inclusive Quinceneras “15th Birthday Parties” using more than $5,075 in donated items. The Tony Shotwell Life Center
partnered with Parkland Hospital to offer a first-time health camp. 110 youth and teens participated in the week-long camp that focused on
fitness, nutrition, health, and self-esteem. In partnership with GPISD, recreation centers presented the second year of Summer E-Reading over
a 9-week period, logging 3,240 reading hours! Recreation Center staff attended community outreach events: Texas Recreation and Park
Society Conference, Texas Youth Advisor Commission Summit, Grand Prairie Independent
School District Fairs, Grand Prairie Rotary Club Non-Profit Fair.
Chamber of Commerce. $7500 in discounts
per year to school booster groups. GPISD discounted
room rental approximately. $15,000 per year. GPISD allowed
to direct pay catering for annual employee awards, $5,000
discount with markup and service charge. Life Line Shelter,
GP Unity Coalition, and NAACP allowed to use facility for
flat rate of $500 with their own catering. $10,000 in discounts
total. Hosted several deployment and welcome home
ceremonies for troops based at the Grand Prairie
National Guard base. Total discounts estimated to be
$50,000 over several years. Waived fees for NTCOG,
NTCMA and others.
RUTHE JACKSON CENTER
Chip Nami
General Manager
972-237-7501
Did you know?
Since opening its doors 12 years ago, the Ruthe Jackson Center has hosted
more than 10,000 different events.
2014 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The Ruthe Jackson Center just completed its 12th year of operation, and it remains THE venue of
choice for the most important public and private events in Grand Prairie.
• Named 2014 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
• Named 2014 Bride’s Choice by Wedding Wire, a leading industry review and trends
website
• Hosted 80 weddings in our now 5-year-old Wedding Garden
• Hosted more than 800 events and over 77,000 people
• Continue 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
• Hosted more than 15 school athletic or group banquets at reduced rentals, allowing students from GPISD the opportunity to experience the beauty of the Ruthe
Jackson Center
• Hosted the first State of the City address for new Mayor Ron Jensen
• Aide the Uptown by handling of private event rentals
GRAND PRAIRIE MEMORIAL GARDENS
Gregg Driggers
General Manager
972-237-3002
Did you know?
The new Garden of Reflection was completed in April 2014 and
opened it to the public in May 2014.
NEW GARDEN OF REFLECTION
The new Garden of Reflection that expanded the cremation options at the cemetery was completed in April 2014.
This project included 880 niches in our Columbarium Plaza for inurnments, and we also have the availability for Custom Cremation Benches
and Pedestal Monuments and a Cremation Scattering area from which the families may choose.
We also compiled a quarter mile of walking trails and park seating areas for the families and guest to sit while visiting the final resting
place of their loved ones; we also planted a very lush landscape and ample native trees for shade.
In the 8 months that the Garden of Reflection has been open, we have sold 20 niches. We also have designed three custom cremation
benches for families. We have had eight inurnments in the niches and five cremation scatterings in our new garden.
2014
2004-2013
• 305 spaces sold
• 3,445 spaces sold
• 156 interments in the park
• 1,272 interments in park
• 136 markers installed
• 1,082 markers installed
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Gary Yakesch
Manager of Business Operations
972-237-8178
PARK VENUE FUND
FY 2014 Parks, Arts, & Recreation revenues grew 3.6% over
2013. The revenue increase was due to increases in the ¼ sales
tax collections and over $186K of additional user fee and rental
revenues 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 $263K for
FY 2014. 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
The Summit continues to brand itself as a premier active adult worldclass venue. This can be seen from the financial performance for
FY 2014. Revenues for the center were $1,140,857 for FY 2014;
this represents a 14% increase over the approved budget. Rentals,
activities and outlet operations all showed growth over both budget
and prior year for FY 2014. The revenue growth provided a 64%
cost recovery, up 7% points from the budgeted cost recovery goal.
Did you know?
Per capita, in 2014, Grand Prairie residents paid .08 cents per
day for gold medal award winning Parks, Arts and Recreation
facilities, parks, programs, classes and events. This represents
a .02 cent decline year over year.
FY14 Appropriations (Unaudited)
Personnel
$6,422,189
Supplies
$630,121
Services
$4,115,423
Transfers
$2,985,000
Capital
$162,857
Debt
$2,189,384
Total
$16,504,974
The Summit
Appropriations
Budget
$1,765,332
Actual
$1,786,648
Variance
$21,316
The Ruthe Jackson Center revenues exceeded budget expectations
by $24,139, or 2%. Economic conditions, a short fall in wedding
activity in the 4th quarter of 2013, and an increasingly competitive event venue market continued to present challenges for the
management and staff. Extraordinary expenditures in maintenance
and service areas caused appropriations to exceed budget by
$46K. Management and staff are optimistic 2015 event activity
will increase.
Revenues
$1,001,500
$1,140,857
$139,357
Profit/ (Loss)
($763,832)
($645,791)
$118,041
Ruthe Jackson Center
Appropriations
Budget
$1,237,677
Actual
$1,284,237
Variance
$46,560
GOLF FUND
Revenues
$1,231,000
$1,255,139
$24,139
($6,677)
($29,098)
($22,421)
RUTHE JACKSON CENTER
Golf operations had 71,610 total rounds played in FY 2014, a
12% decline over the prior year. Severe environmental conditions
in the winter caused stress to playing greens resulting in a residual
effect into the spring. This extraordinary environmental impact is
not expected to repeat in 2015 and the courses have since purchased greens covers to keep the greens healthy and sustainable
throughout the harsh winter months. Staff at both courses controlled
expenditures to contribute $138K in appropriations savings.
CEMETERY FUND
Cemetery operations generated revenues totaling $801K for FY
2014, a 14% growth over the prior year. The construction and opening of the Columbarium in 2014 helped fuel the added revenue
growth year over year. Additionally, increased sales in interments
and sections provided added revenue streams for the operation.
Appropriation savings of $6,435 provided additional benefit to
the bottom line for the Cemetery fund.
LAKE PARK FUND
Lake Parks operations continued to produce financial results higher
than both prior year and budget. Revenues of $2.7M were 12%
higher than budget and 6% higher than prior year. Overall, revenues
outperformed budget by $277,193. Additionally, management and
division staff were able to manage additional cost savings of $72K.
Combined, the additional revenues and cost savings allowed for an
additional $349K profit for the Lake Parks operations.
Profit/ (Loss)
Golf Fund
Appropriations
Revenues
Profit/ (Loss)
Budget
$2,804,213
$2,310,000
($494,213)
Actual
Variance
$2,665,936 ($138,277)
$1,913,029 ($396,971)
($752,907) ($258,694)
Cemetery Fund
Appropriations
Revenues
Profit/ (Loss)
Budget
$587,844
$801,254
$213,410
Actual
$581,409
$801,254
$219,845
Variance
($6,435)
$0
$6,435
Lake Parks Fund
Appropriations
Revenues
Profit/ (Loss)
Budget
$2,407,946
$2,401,600
($6,346)
Actual
$2,335,908
$2,678,793
$342,885
Variance
($72,038)
$277,193
$349,231
GOLF
Did you know?
Mark Viskozki
Director of Golf
972-299-6837
Glen Sockwell
Golf Professional
972-237-4156
Prairie Lakes Golf Course is one of only two
27 holes golf courses in the Dallas/ Ft. Worth
Metroplex and surrounding cities!
TANGLE RIDGE GOLF COURSE
• Rounds played – 33,863
• October 7, 2015 will mark Tangle Ridge’s 20th Anniversary
• Thomas Devanna, PGA Member, served on the NTPGA Board of Directors as the Metro Chapter
President
• Ranked 22nd in Public Courses and voted “Most Courteous Staff” by Avid Golfer for the 2nd consecutive year
• Purchased tarps for the greens
• Hosted 70+ Tournaments: Grey Goose/Dunham & Miller “The Ticket” Open, USGA US Amateur Qualifier, Remember the Fallen, Golf
Channel Amateur Tour, Children’s First, Grand Prairie Chamber, Midlothian Chamber, GPISD Education Foundation, Lake Ridge HOA,
Lakeridge High School Invitational, Midlothian High School Invitational, Northwood University Invitational, Numerous NTPGA Junior Tournaments, Hosting 2015 USGA US Amateur Qualifier
PRAIRIE LAKES GOLF COURSE
• 2008/2009 Golf Digest Best Places To Play!
• Hosted 40 tournament: Grand Prairie United Charities, Mountain View College, Aspe/Pmont, Federal Bureau of Prisons, North Texas
Assemblies Of God, Bell Helicopter, Parks and Recreation Hall Of Fame, Sanyo Energy, Prairie Lakes Golf Assn., Grand Prairie Rotary,
Eurocopter Airbus, The Exchange, GPISD Education Foundation, Executive Women’s Golf Assn., TPWA
• Hosted the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital For Children’s “Learn to Golf Clinic”
LAKE PARKS
Bob McGlothlin
Sr. Superintendent
972-237-4130
2014 HIGHLIGHTS
• Installed a “Fast Pass” lane for the convenience of our Annual Pass holders
and Park Guests
• Opened 18 sewer connections to the public
• Constructed approximately 6 miles of new trails in Lynn Creek Park
• Started construction on the Lodge and Loyd Cabin at Loyd Park
• Converted the Club House in Loyd Park into a Camp Store
• Started construction of the new entry sign at Lynn Creek Park
• Held the first organized cleanup of Walnut Creek in Loyd Park
• Hosted over 440,000 visitors to the Lake Parks
• Received over $2.5 million in revenue (not including Prairie Lights)
Did you know?
Lake Parks smashed all time revenue and attendance records in 2014.
SPECIAL EVE N TS
Beverly Grogan Erin Whitlock
972-237-8392 972-237-8110
Susan Henson
Mae Smith
972-237-8102 972-237-8107
MAIN STREET FEST
• More than 12,000 guests enjoyed the two day music and entertainment festival.
• Main Street Fest was recognized and ranked as the “Runner-Up
Best Festival in North Texas” by D-Magazine, behind the Texas
State Fair!
• The event expanded into three blocks of fun, excitement and
entertainment for all ages.
• Entertainment included Vocal Trash, Clay Thrash, Roger Creager
and Max Baca and Los TexManiacs featuring Rick Trevino, Augie
Meyers and Flaco Jimenez.
HATCH CHILE FEST
• Another year of chiles SOLD OUT!
• Vendor participation was strong, with more than 10 vendors at
the event.
• Thousands attended and snapped shots of the largest Hatch Chile
across the DFW Metroplex!
CRAWFISH BOIL FESTIVAL
• Another year of crawfish SOLD OUT!
• Thousands attended and enjoyed live music from the Crawfish
Band.
VETERANS EVENTS
• 10th anniversary of the Veteran’s Memorial was commemorated by a specially designed poster which was distributed to
attendees.
• Celebrations on Memorial Day and Veterans Day were once
again enjoyed by large crowds, despite weather challenges on
Veterans Day.
• Partnership with local Rotary Clubs continues as free hot dog
lunch is provided.
• Traditional elements of the celebration continue to flourish and
develop.
ARBOR DAY
• Grand Prairie was recognized as the third oldest Tree City USA
in Texas, celebrating 30 years.
• More than 600 children from Crockett Elementary attended the
ceremony at Kirby Creek Nature Center.
• 1,500 trees were distributed at Arbor Day and Veterans Day;
the trees had been processed for distribution by Summit members.
Did you know?
Did you know the Parks, Arts and Recreation Department
hosted more than 68 events during 2014.
FLIGHT OF THE MONARCH
• Second year event saw an explosion in attendance and participation.
• Recipient, 2014 Texas Recreation and Parks Society North Region
Lone Star Recreation Programming Achievement Award Class II.
• Held at Grand Lawn at Central Park to celebrate the annual migration of the Monarch butterfly – North Texas is on the migration
path and the Summit grounds have a Butterfly garden to attract
the Monarchs on the journey.
• More than 7,000 festival attendees enjoyed kite flying and
demonstrations, educational arts and crafts, costume judging,
and learning about the hungry caterpillar from our partners at
the library.
• 600 Butterflies were released at the event to join the migration
path to Central Mexico.
PRAIRIE LIGHTS
• Most successful run yet, with 194,000 guests in attendance.
• Offered a VIP Experience, where guests were picked up at Loyd
park and received a guided tour, back door access to avoid the
traffic, special seating in Holiday Village, “fast pass” access to
attractions and other perks.
• 31 businesses, community groups, service clubs, churches and
school organizations gave volunteer nights to help operate
Prairie Lights.
• Laser Show and Dancing Tree attraction in the walk-thru helped
make Holiday Village and Prairie Lights more profitable than
ever before.
• Recipient, 2014 Texas Recreation and Parks Society North Region
Excellence in Programming Award.
• Voted Best Annual Event from Grand Prairie Bubble Life Website.
GARDENING CLASSES
Spring Gardening Classes began on February 12 and ran through
March 26, and approximately 180 people attending the four
classes offered. The subjects ranged from Vegetable Gardening
to Container Gardening. A second series of Fall Gardening classes
were offered from September 11-25 with record numbers in attendance. There were around 230 people who attended the Fall
series, which included Butterfly Fever, Landscaping on a Dime and
Fall into Vegetable Gardening. With around 400 people attending, we can be sure that Grand Prairie will be more beautiful and
environmentally friendly city!
CENTRAL PARK GUARDIANS
The mission of the Central Park Guardians is to manage, build, protect and preserve Central Park.
2014 was an incredible year for the Central Park Guardians, and memberships continue to grow.
The Guardians participated and promoted Central Park in many ways:
• Donated funding for two benches
• 4th annual VIP Seating fund raiser raised more
than $1,500
• Participated as a vendor and raised more than
$200 at the Marty Party
• Launched the Central Park Guardian Facebook
page – facebook.com/centralparkguardians
FA R M E R S MA R KET
Did you know?
With a renewed focus on vendors, food and showcase
events, the Grand Prairie Farmers Market was widely
The Grand Prairie Farmers Market hosted a delicious cooking
demonstration by Grand Prairie’s own local star, from the Fox TV
popular with visitors and customers in 2014. Specifically,
show Master Chef Jr., 11-year-old Jessica Stephens in November.
2014 featured local vendors and farmers offering a wide
array of produce, food, crafts and local interest products.
Cooking demonstrations, local restaurant showcases and
live entertainment were hosted at the Farmers Market during the 2014 season. Additionally,
the Farmers Market was the focal point for the Car & Motorcycle Show and Crawfish Boil
in June, Hatch Chile Festival in August and the wildly popular Halloween themed Street
and Treat Festival. Expect to see all of this and much more during the 2015 season.
The 2015 season will launch in late March 2015; 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 OW N TH EATER
Doug Voet
Downtown Arts and Uptown Supervisor
972-237-8112
Did you know?
The Uptown Theater hosted the Dallas Fort Worth Symphony
Brass Ensemble to honor veterans and active duty personnel
for Veterans Day.
The Uptown Theater gained key traction in 2014!
Our goal was to continue offering good family entertainment while developing a new patronage with cutting edge offerings.
As has been in the past, the Grand Prairie Arts Council continued to present their season and additional activities at the Uptown. Texas
Family Musicals performed their swan song after three years. In addition Dallas Summer Musicals Academy has made the Uptown their
performance home and the newly launched Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy and Whitt Performing Arts Academy, both within the GPISD,
have used the Uptown a number of times this past year.
The lobby presented art shows from the Summit Seniors, Grand Prairie Arts Association, Grand Prairie Arts Council and the PARD 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 favorite spot for unusual
parties and weddings.
But most importantly, 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 the innovative and exciting, which, proudly, we do. Mama’s Party has become an area
staple and the newly launched cabaret series by Denise Lee has already amped up our theatrical value.
It brings great pride when we hear that our property is a new favorite of performers, producers and patrons. 2015 is bound to be
extraordinary!
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
S P E C I A L E VE NTS
JoinTheEpic.com (June 5, 2014 – September 30, 2014)
• Unique Visitors – 1,778
• Page Loads – 5,976
Kelly Eddlemon
972-237-8339
Brandon Huether
972-237-8355
PHOTOS
• Pictures taken at special events – 8,000+
CREATIVE PROMOTIONS
• Launched JoinTheEpic.com website to educate citizens on the sales tax
election, promote Epic Encounter meetings and give regular updates
on the planning stages.
• Launched MainStreetFest.com to promote the fast-growing 2-day
spring event.
• Purchased a portable photo booth as a promotional tool at special
events. The photo booth draws people to the marketing booth, gives
them a branded and customized photo to keep and captures customer
data (emails, phone #, zip code, etc.).
• Implemented branded e-mail signatures for all Parks & Recreation
staff e-mail users.
• Released “Grand Prairie Parks, Arts & Recreation: A Community Celebration” video which featured success stories of all types that were
a result of parks and recreation facilities or programs.
PRINT
• Life is Grand – Continued partnership with Texas General Hospital
which allowed the 52-page magazine to be mailed to all city residences – That’s more than 60,000 homes each issue!!
• Rack Cards / Fliers / Postcards – 250,000 distributed
• Pipeline Newsletter – 43,000+ distributed per month
WEBSITES
GrandFunGP.com (October 1, 2013-September 30, 2014)
• Unique Visitors – 198,301 (up 23% from last year)
• Page Loads – 715,243 (up 20% from last year)
PrairieLights.org (October 1, 2013-September 30, 2014)
• Unique Visitors – 38,678
• Page Loads – 108,653
PrairieLakesGolf.com (October 1, 2013-September 30, 2014)
• Unique Visitors – 12,071 (up 127% from last year)
• Page Loads – 54,209 (up 109% from last year)
UptownTheaterGP.com (October 1, 2013-September 30, 2014)
• Unique Visitors (up 17% from last year)
• Page Loads (up 16% from last year)
RutheJacksonCenter.com (October 1, 2013-September 30, 2014)
• Unique Visitors – 22,206
• Page Loads – 126,178
EMAIL AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Master e-mail list – 25,501
• Grand Fun Club – 9,157 members
• Grand Golf Gang – 6,045 members
• Uptown Insider – 4,334 members
• Summit e-Club – 2,151 members
Facebook fans (as of Dec. 20, 2013)
Facebook fans (as of Jan. 13, 2015)
• /GrandFunGP – 4,819 (+776 from 2013)
• /PrairieLights – 9,946 (+4,747 from 2013)
• /UptownTheaterGrandPrairie – 3,687 (+1,447 from 2013)
• /TheSummitGPTX – 1,538 (+244 from 2013)
• /LynnCreekPark – 3,497 (+1,054 from 2013)
• /LoydPark – 1,611 (+631 from 2013)
Twitter Followers (as of Jan. 13, 2015)
• @GrandFunGP – 1,626 (+1,051 from 2013)
• @PrairieLights – 702 (+336 from 2013)
Instagram Followers (as of Jan. 13, 2015)
• @GrandFunGP – 95 (+79 from 2013)
• @PrairieLights – 202 (+89 from 2013)
YouTube Channel (as of Jan. 13, 2015)
• /GrandFunGP – 91,472 total views (+34,705 from 2013)
SIGNS AROUND TOWN
• 11 locations throughout the city used to promote special events
• Signs around town rated as one of the top ways that people
receive information about special events
BILLBOARDS ON I-20 AND I-30
• Prairie Lakes, Prairie Lights, RJC Bridal Show, Main Street Festival, Farmers Market, Uptown, Flight of the Monarch
LOOKING AHEAD
• Utilizing new digital signs around town
• Launching new feature of GrandGolfDeals.com that allows
customers to purchase special offers online. This will work similar
to iDealGolfer or Groupon, but will allow the course to keep
100% of the sell price
• 7 New e-marketing television displays to be installed in various
facilities in 2015
GrandPrairieMemorialGardens.com (October 1, 2013-September 30, 2014)
Did you know?
• Unique Visitors – 3,789 (up 6% from last year)
• Page Loads – 8,277 (up 9% from last year)
MainStreetFest.com (March 2, 2014 – September 30, 2014)
• Unique Visitors – 13,498
• Page Loads – 48,774
•
•
Grand Prairie’s Brand+Aid Marketing Conference was
asked by the National Recreation & Park Association to
host a one-day marketing institute at the NRPA National
Congress in Charlotte, NC in October 2014.
GrandFunGP.com had 23% more unique visitors this year
compared to last.
P arks B oards &
Commissions
Parks 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
Emita Garcia
B.J. Nichols (Chair)
Jonathan Head
Sallye Moore
Dr. Tony Lawrence
David Pecor
Jerry Partain
(Co-Chair)
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
Carlton Adams
Jack Cooper
Greg Wiggins
Dr. Carolyn
Williamson (Chair)
William (Bill) Krug
Jerry Long
Ray Bush
Marty Brownlie
City of Grand Prairie
Parks & 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 4 A wa r d s
2014 Playful City USA Designation
(6th consecutive year)
2014 Pick “The Knot” Best of Weddings
• Ruthe Jackson Center
2014 Texas Recreation and Parks Society
Arts & Humanities Award Class II
• Summer E-Reading
2014 Texas Recreation and Parks Society
Lone Star Recreation Programming
Achievement Award Class II
• Flight of the Monarch
NRPA
National Recreation & Park Association
TRAPS
Texas Recreation & Park Society
TAAF
Texas Amateur Athletic Federation
USSSA
United States Specialty Sports Association
Tree City USA (30 years)
Playful City USA (6 years)
2014 Texas Recreation and Parks Society
Class I Excellence in Programming Award
• Prairie Lights
2014 Texas Recreation and Parks Society,
Recreation Professional of the Year
• Mariana Espinoza