Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Recreational Grant

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Recreation Grant was introduced to the McLennan County Commissioner’s Court in 2002 and in that same year brought to the City of West by Commissioner Joe Mashek. It was administered on a Precinct by Precinct basis. Precinct 1 has utilized this grant and completed construction of a Community Activity Complex in Mart, Texas; Precinct 4 has utilized this grant and in working with the City of Crawford, was able to make significant improvements to Tonkawa Park in Crawford, Texas; Precinct 3 is now in line for requesting funds for Outdoor facilities and wishes to apply for recreation facilities and improvements for the City of West. Precinct 2 is anxiously awaiting their turn to apply for funds.

PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS The West City Council recognized the need for a community based comprehensive Master Plan which would develop the needs for parks and recreational facilities within the community and also establish the priorities for the desired improvements. A committee was assembled to develop a questionnaire which was widely circulated within the West Community. This questionnaire provided a mechanism to obtain citizen and park user input as to the park and recreational needs of the our community.

West ISD has an old baseball field, previously used by the High School (acreage is estimated at 3.6 acres). Some of the suggested improvements along with new concession and restroom facilities are: A tennis complex – with 8 lighted competition tennis courts Picnic pavilions with tables A new parking lot This would allow West to host tournaments for the West ISD and the public.

Additional land to be donated by the West ISD includes the existing track field (totaling 6.2 acres), to which a new track and facility improvements are proposed.

Included in this project is the current City of West Park located on Stillmeadow. (totaling 4.0 acres) Some of the suggested improvements in this area include: Upgrading the existing basketball courts for 3 on 3 tournaments Development of an amphitheater Adding tranquil gardens and benches

The crowing jewel in the proposed improvements would be a nature trail that would encompass the entire acreage – (totaling 17.6 acres). This trail could be used for walking, jogging, and bike riding riding. To – Basketball and Amphitheater. To – Gardens, Benches and Picnics HIKE…BIKE…RUN To – Track To – Tennis To – Parking

WHAT TO EXPECT!  The Outdoor Recreation Grant Application Deadline is July 31,  Grants are awarded in early November.  The Project Priority ranking will depend on the score we receive in relation to other communities applying for the same grant.  If we should not succeed on our first try, we may apply again once any suggested changes have been made to our application.

PROJECT PRIORITY SCORING SYSTEM Scoring: 1 to 15 points for Master Plan Recreational Diversity1 to 10 points for Recreational Diversity 1 to 6 points for Water Based Recreation 1 to 10 points for Innovative Use (that benefits an entire community) 1 to 20 points for Recreation vs. Support Costs Special Populations (low income and minorities)1 to 15 points for Special Populations (low income and minorities) Partnerships1 to 20 points for Partnerships 1 to 30 points for Land Acquisition (based on amount of acreage) 1 to 25 points for Renovation (reuse of existing park) 1 to 10 points for Environmentally Responsible Activities (types of landscape and natural and recycled materials used for trails etc.) 1 to 3 points for Linkage (how it ties in to the community and surroundings) 1 to 3 points for Cultural Resources 1 to 5 points for Improving Access to the Outdoors 5 points for Complete Applications Received (with all backup documents)

PARTNERSHIPS – ARE DEFINED BY:  Donation of land  Community, City, County, and State involvement  Community Service opportunities  Local cash and in-kind contributions  Sponsorships – whether private or public  Donation of construction materials, landscaping supplies, etc.  Professional services – (architects, engineers, contractors, appraisers, attorneys)

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Complete your survey form; Pledge a cash or in-kind contribution; Provide services; Sponsor a fixture, a tree, a tennis court; a drinking fountain – anything that we need Hold a fundraiser; Host a work day; Host a lunch for the workers during construction; Present some of our cultural resources to tie in to this project;

Committee Members to contact for additional information: Laura Bettge (Project Chairman) Susie Price (Mainstreet Director) Marty Crawford Crystal Anthony Alvin Soukup David Kolar Larry Hykel Missy Sulak Larry Sparks Joey Pustejovsky Jerrel Bolton Johnny Mynar Tommy Muska Joe Mashek Susanne Nemmer(Assistant to Joe Mashek)

The End Produced By: Susanne Nemmer Directed by: Laura Bettge