Dan Whitworth Fellow Award
Stephen C. Beachy
College Station PARD
Stephen Beachy has served a total of 36 years in the parks and recreation field. Of those
36 years, 28 have been with the City of College Station serving as the Director of Parks
and Recreation. Beginning in 1978, College Station only had 150 acres of undeveloped
land at its disposal. Today the city has 1200 acres of park land. Stephen’s management
style is admired by all as he leads by example. As one staff member said, “he is the person
who cheers you up in good times, stands besides you in bad times, and holds you up
during times of grief. He would always be the person you would call if you needed a
good friend.
Jerry D. Garrett Memorial Young Professional Award
Kevin Mitchell
City of Grapevine
Kevin Mitchell has proven himself to be an asset to the City of Grapevine, and has
served as the President of the Park Operations and Planning Branch Board. Kevin has
attended every state institute since 1999. He has single-handedly been the mainstay for
the growth and development of the City of Grapevine Botanical Garden’s success. Supported
by management staff and city council, Kevin created an award-winning garden
that many cities envy and few can replicate.
Promotional Award
College Station Parks and Recreation Department
The College Station Parks and Recreation Department utilizes many vehicles for marketing
and promotions. To maximize the effect of their marketing efforts, a comprehensive
full color calendar is produced and each division cross-markets their events with other
divisions in the department.
Best Web Site Award
Arlington Parks and Recreation Department
The web page uses macromedia flash animation and has various educational components
for Arlington’s citizens. Some of the educational components of the website feature different
colors of the animal, vocal communication, and male/female variations of the species.
By positioning your mouse over the animal’s picture you can hear different calls
the animal makes and see different pictures of the species. This web site is updated with
information on native species semi-annually. You can access the website at
www.ci.arlington.tx.us/wildlife/main.
Media Excellence Award
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Conference
Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation Department
The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Conference has met annually the past six
years. The program was initiated in response to a community need, a growing number of
grandparents raising grandchildren. This one day conference focuses on providing grandparents
and other relatives with resources and information to ease the responsibility of
rearing grandchildren.
Service Club Award
Rotary Club of Park Cities
Nominated by Dallas Parks and Recreation Department
The Rotary Club of Park Cities chose to build an playground for ALL children as their
Centennial Service Project. The club members raised over $483,000 to fund the playground.
"ChildsPlay" at Bachman Lake is located next to the Bachman Recreation Center
that provides leisure services to participants with disabilities.
Conservation Award
Friends for River Clean Up
New Braunfels Parks and Recreation Department
In 2005, the New Braunfels Parks and Recreation Department successfully coordinated
the Friends for River Annual Cleanup, collecting 64 cubic yards of litter. The event was
expanded to include two rivers, six individual service organizations, 18 different sponsors,
and over 600 participants. The Friends for River Clean Up provided a fun, memorable
and education experience while managing pollution on Guadalupe and Comal Rivers.
Excellence In Planning Award
Dallas Downtown Parks Master Plan
Dallas Parks and Recreation Department and Carter & Burgess
The Dallas Downtown Parks Master Plan is the first downtown park study in the history
of Dallas. It creates a network of active public spaces that envisions a series of signature
parks within downtown that add identity and economic vibrancy to the heart of the city.
Dallas’ signature parks will increase tourism, stimulate economic development, and provide
a strong image both nationally and internationally. City leaders recognize that great
urban parks activate downtown. Linking key destinations to downtown will provide a
series of great public spaces for local citizens and visitors to the city.
Park Design Excellence Award
Brackenridge Park Rehabilitation
San Antonio Parks and Recreation and Rialto Studio, Inc.
The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, partnering with citizen stakeholders
and Rialto Studio, Inc., has embarked on an ambitious $7 million two-phase renovation
of the city’s most popular and beloved park, Brackenridge Park. Renovations to four
buildings, including two restrooms, the Park Reservations Center, and Joske Pavilion
were all done in the first phase. Seventy-five picnic units were completely rebuilt and 50
others were repaired, drinking fountains and lighting fixtures were added, walking/
jogging trails, pathways, sidewalks, and pedestrian bridges were built. Funding was used
to re-establish the riverbank with a combination of erosion control devices and vegetation
known as no-access zone planting.
Innovations in Park Development Award
Oakbrook/Ken Rymer Park
Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department
Oakbrook/Ken Rymer Park is a 10-acre park which includes a 3.8-acre lake. Staff was
given the charge to create a natural area comprised of native plantings selected to provide
year-round interest and habitat for wildlife. The plantings will serve as erosion control
and provide a bio-filter for pesticide and fertilizer runoff commonly found in residential
areas.
Arts and Humanities Award - Class I
Bravo!
San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department
Bravo! is a paraprofessional variety show performed by youth boys and girls, ages 12 to
18. This unique program assists youth in discovering their interest in dance at a more
advanced level while providing public performance opportunities to citizens and tourists
alike. Approximately 3,500 youth and adults participated in these classes during fiscal
year 2004-2005. The dance troupes perform publicly at the Arneson River Theater operated
by the department in downtown San Antonio's historic La Villita. The performance
is an entire show called Bravo! that showcases all forms of dance the troupes offer.
Arts and Humanities Award - Class II
City of Irving, Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance
Irving Parks and Recreation Department
Each year, the City of Irving’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance takes on the form of a
community classroom that focuses on the life and legacy of one the country’s most noted
humanitarians. This annual event features various forms of artistic expression and serves
as an invitation for all residents to assemble as a community in order to celebrate the
arts, humanity and cultural diversity. The 2005 Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance featured
the national Voices of the Civil Rights Project and the Leadership Conference on
Civil Rights, as well as a performances by the Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Calvary
Temple Choir and talented thespians. Irving is the first municipality to feature Voices of
the Civil Rights in conjunction with Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance.
Arts and Humanities Award - Class III
Abby’s Place: Where Kids Become Artists
Conroe Parks and Recreation Department
Abby's Place: Where Kids Become Artists, has been an outlet for many young children
to learn, practice, and create their own art in Montgomery County. A variety of classes
covering many aspects help these aspiring artists dabble in all creative facets. With help
from her mother, Abby began to sell her art to raise money for Chinese Fire Bibles. After
much success, Abby realized her next project would be starting art classes for children
like herself that had no real outlet to learn. It was then that she approached the
Conroe Parks and Recreation Department. In February 2005, after hearing her inspirational
story, the Parks and Recreation Department in cooperation with the Conroe Commission
on Arts and Culture offered Abby's Place: Where Kids Become Artists.
Maintenance Award
Memorial Gardens Fountain
Odessa Parks Department
The need to remove a fountain from the middle of a local lake without having to hire
divers from out of the area to float a fountain in for repairs is what began this innovative
design. A float system consisting of an angle iron frame that would allow six 55 gallon
drums to be strapped into the sides, two winches installed, one in each end and also a
hinge in one end and a pin in the other end to allow the boat be able to separate and be
placed around the nozzle of the fountain was designed. The boat is floated out to the
fountain, the winches are lowered into the water and attached to the fountain frame, and
the winches are raised until the fountain is sitting in the boat. Then it is floated to the
bank and the fountain is removed from the water with a loader. After repairs, the process
is repeated and the fountain re-installed. The City of Odessa saves $1,000 each time the
fountain has to be removed and placed back into the lake
Lone Star Programming Award - Class I
78415 Summer Writing Project
Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation Department
The Community Youth Development Program, under the auspices of the Corpus Christi
Parks and Recreation Department, was established with funds authorized by the 74th
Legislature for the purpose of reducing juvenile crime in areas of Texas with the highest
incidence of youth crime. The 78415 zip code is the designated area within Corpus
Christi to receive Community Youth Development funding. The 78415 Summer Writing
Project focus was to give the youth of the 78415 community a voice and to provide a
channel for them to express their feelings and experiences through art and writing rather
than participating in juvenile delinquent behavior. "The View from 78415", a collection
of material by over 30 authors ages 10 to 18 years old, proves the success of this innovative
program.
Lone Star Programming Award - Class II
Ride Cameron Park
Waco Parks and Recreation Department
The Ride Cameron Park women's mountain biking clinic was a weekend clinic, designed
to teach women the necessary skills to succeed in the sport of mountain biking. Women
participated in various stations learning all aspects of the sport from stretching to log
jumping. When originally planning this clinic, attendance was anticipated to reach 25.
However, 140 women attended the clinic far exceeding their expectations.
Lone Star Programming Award - Class III
Camp Heatwave
Temple Parks and Recreation Department
Camp Heatwave is where children ages 9 to 14 came together and learned about the outdoors
and enhanced their leadership skills. Participants attended the four week program
and focusing on leadership, camping survival, teamwork, outdoor living, orienteering,
ropes, archery, life skills and Junior Anglers training. Camp Heatwave provided urban
youth with a unique outdoor experience and important life skills.
Lone Star Programming Award - Class IV
Pumpkin Splash
Keller Parks and Recreation Department
The Pumpkin Splash will become a must do annual event that is a safe alternative to normal
trick or treat festivities. This Halloween event included 250 floating pumpkins,
1,000 floating beach balls, pumpkin carving, games, prizes and candy. This program
created a safe and unique Halloween experience.
Lone Star Programming Award - Class V
Krazy Kidz Dayz
Portland Parks and Recreation Department
Krazy Kids Dayz is a one day school alternative program for school holidays, school
breaks and teacher in-service days. The program provides a safe and fun environment
for children ages 5-12. This program offered its participants recreational games and play
which provided active movements to aide in the fight against childhood obesity.
