HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/09/2025 - Regular Minutes - Parks BoardPARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
6:00 p.m.
Staff Present:
Gene Ballew, Assistant Director; Andrea Lauer, Business Services Manager
Board Members Present:
Thomas Marty; Neo Jang; Amy Arredondo; Cheletia Johnson; Kevin Bishop; Anthony
Branch; Andrew Arizpe; David Scott; Kimberly Topp
Council Members Present:
None
1. Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, and Absence Requests
With a quorum present, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called to order on
Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led. No absence
requests were received.
2. Hear Visitors
None
3. Informational Items
3.1 Presentation and Discussion by the Director of Parks and Recreation.
Gene Ballew, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, provided an update on
departmental activities and upcoming projects. He shared images of upgraded playground
equipment scheduled for installation in April at Castlegate Park, Merry Oaks Park, and
Southern Oaks Park.
Mr. Ballew went over attendance numbers for recent December events: the College
Station Christmas Parade included 76 floats; the Jingle Bell Fun Run had 197 participants;
and Christmas in the Park had an estimated 3,500 attendees, with 38 batches of hot cocoa
prepared.
He also announced the launch of the Parks and Recreation Department’s official Facebook
and Instagram pages.
Updates were provided on the Veterans Park and Athletic Complex, noting that the
construction contract for the baseball fields had been terminated. Current direction is
focused on Midtown baseball fields and a championship stadium, with additional
information to be provided at a later date.
Mr. Ballew announced a Texas Native Tree Giveaway for College Station residents, with
1,450 trees to be distributed on December 12 beginning at 10:00 a.m at Veterans Park.
Lastly, he shared details about the 42nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Keeping the
Dream Alive Celebration, scheduled for Friday, January 16, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at the
Lincoln Recreation Center.
3.2 Presentation and Discussion on Future Park Decisions as it Pertains to Bird
Conservation.
Mark McDermott, President of Rio Brazos Audubon, addressed the Board regarding bird
conservation efforts at Lick Creek Park. He shared concerns and recommendations,
including adding benches within existing bird blinds, increasing the number of viewing
slots, installing screening at the base of blinds to prevent birds from seeing movement,
and adding solar-powered water features with dripping water.
Mr. McDermott also noted that some animals on signage at the Lick Creek Nature Center
are incorrectly labeled.
4. Regular Agenda
4.1 Presentation, Discussion, and Possible Action on Approval of Minutes from the
Previous Meeting.
Upon a motion by David Scott and a second by Kevin Bishop, the Board voted nine (9) for
and none (0) opposed to approve the minutes from the previous meeting as written. The
motion passed unanimously.
5. Discussion and Possible Action on Future Agenda Items
It was noted that there will be no Board meeting in January.
6. Items of Community Interest / Council Calendar
None
7. Adjournment
Upon a motion by Anthony Branch and a second by Cheletia Johnson, the Board voted nine
(9) for and none (0) opposed to adjourn the meeting at 7:13 p.m. The motion passed
unanimously.