Honorary Life Member
Stephen Beachy
When Steve Beachy began his tenure as Director of Parks & Recreation
for the City of College Station in 1978, he had already served as the
first director for the city of Mission from 1972 to 1978,
so his tenure as a director in Texas extends to an extraordinary 36 years!
The city had acquired 150 acres of land, but most of it had not been
developed into parks and there was no parks constituency in the city.
When he retired in 2007, the City had almost 1,586 acres of park land.
However, the land acquisition is only part of the Beachy legacy.
On that land are extensive arrays of athletic and aquatic facilities
that are the envy of other cities of comparable size in the state.
The 150 acre athletic complex in which the city will
invest $15-20 million is the most recent of these, but throughout his
career Steve has ensured that the city’s facilities have remained at
the cutting edge. He has presided over capital improvements which in
current dollars probably exceed $100 million in value. The most recent
example of his effective leadership is the effort to acquire a 10,640
acre park which is in the current College Station ETJ. It will be largest
park of any kind, with the exception of the Big Thicket Preserve, serving
the 15 million Texans who live east of the Houston-San Antonio-Fort Worth
line.
Honorary Life Member
Ed Supina
After 38 years of dedicated service in the Parks and Recreation profession,
Edward R. Supina retired in January of 2007. His service in the field of
Parks and Recreation began in 1969 after graduating from North Texas State
University with a Masters degree in Education. He began working at Timberlawn
Psychiatric Hospital in the Department of Education as a Physical Education
and Biology Instructor. In 1972, he was promoted to Director of Therapeutic
Recreation where he remained until 1991. Following his tenure at Timberlawn
Psychiatric Hospital, he began work for the City of Dallas Parks and Recreation
Department as the Therapeutic Program Supervisor and Facility Manager at Bachman
Recreation Center. Additionally, Mr. Supina has been involved in the Intern
Opportunities Program at the University of North Texas, the Intern Education
and Vocation Program at Texas Women’s University, the Career Development Program
at Southwest Texas State University and served as a guest lecturer at both the
University of North Texas and Texas Women’s University. In 1980, Ed, along
with others, founded the Therapeutic Recreation Symposium for the Southwest.
The symposium has grown into a nationally recognized organization presenting
an opportunity for the advanced professional development for therapeutic
recreation professionals in the five state region. The symposium also awards
three student scholarships, one of which is named after Mr. Supina.
Dan Whitworth Fellow
Jane Dembski
Jane Dembski has been a dedicated member and leader of the Texas Recreation
and Park Society for the past 20 years. During this time she has served on
countless committees, as the Region IV Director, and as President of TRAPS
in 2002-2003. During her tenure as President, Jane worked tirelessly to
secure a headquarters for the Society, including driving to Austin almost
weekly to meet with the search committee, evaluate property, and eventually
select the beautiful headquarters that we now have. She also worked to
transition from a management firm to our own full-time Executive Director
and Membership Services Manager. In addition to all of this, her staff
believes that Jane is a wonderful and supportive boss, who has not only
inspired her staff in Bellaire, but many young professionals in the field.
From San Marcos to The Woodlands to Conroe, former part-time Bellaire employees
have been making their own impact on the profession.
Dan Whitworth Fellow
John Powers
John Powers is currently the Assistant General Manager of Community Services
for the Community Associations of The Woodlands and has been a dedicated
member of TRAPS since 1997. During the past 20 years he has been active
in the National Recreation and Park Association, Texas Recreation and Park
Society and the New Mexico Parks and Recreation Association. John has been
an ardent supporter of TRAPS during the course of the last decade. For the
large portion of this time he has served in leadership including TRAPS President
2006-2007, Region IV Director, Nominations and Personnel Committee Chair, various
committees and was one of the founding members of the Greater Gulf Coast Parks and
Recreation Directors Association. John has volunteered his time and his staff’s
time to assist with the organization of several state institutes and regional workshops;
has toured the state as an ambassador for parks and recreation and even helped move
office furniture for TRAPS. A hallmark of the Powers tenure in The Woodlands has
been hiring exceptional staff who have the aspiration of leadership in the profession.
The system he created espouses the offering of new ideas, responsibility, accountability
and high level of customer service. To date, this system has seen an intern rise to Assistant
Director of Parks and Recreation, a supervisor rise to Parks Superintendent and a specialist
rise to Development Manager, to name a few. When staff leave, they use the tools learned from
John and The Woodlands to rise in the profession. Former staff have become Directors of Parks
and Recreation, Parks Superintendents and Project Mangers across the state of Texas.
Whether it was sending numerous staff to a state institute or tirelessly supporting
legislation for parks and recreation funding, John understands the impact that
TRAPS can have on the professional and the profession.
Administration/Management Award
Brazos River Park Lake Development -
Sugar Land Parks and Recreation Department
In response to citizens’ calls for access to public waterways,
the City of Sugar Land developed a master plan for the 3,600 acre
Brazos River Park that would allow for multiple amenity/recreation lakes
with space for canoeing, fishing, and remote control boating as well as
providing storage for drainage from other developed areas of the park.
One 25 acre lake is already completed, and plans are underway for the
excavation of two others. In an impressive display of partnership, the
City worked with TxDOT and their contractors to have the dirt from the
lakes used in nearby road expansions, with an estimated savings to the
City of $3 million per lake.
Distinguished Legislator
Honorable Craig Estes
Texas Senate District 30
Senator Craig Estes became a hero for parks and recreation during the
80th Texas Legislature when he gladly stepped forward as the Senate
sponsor for HB12, carrying it through the Senate. Later in the session,
when time appeared to be running out on passing the bill, Senator Estes
made sure that it wasn’t forgotten. His efforts to champion this cause
led to the bill being the last bill to pass both Chambers during the 80th Legislature.
Distinguished Legislator
Honorable Harvey Hilderbran
Texas House of Representatives, District 53
Representative Hilderbran worked hard in the 79th and 80th Texas
Legislatures on behalf of all parks in Texas. He understood our system
of parks in Texas, comprised of local parks and state parks, and he knew
the system needed financial help. His efforts included authoring and passage
of House Bill 12, the phenomenal parks bill that literally saves State and
Local parks from peril. Not since 1993 has the Texas Legislature deliberated
so long and so hard on the future of parks in Texas. All this attention and
new legislation is due to the effort of Representative Harvey Hilderbran.
Representative Hilderbran was TRAPS’ voice for ALL Texans during the session.
Representative Hilderbran becomes the only known Texas Legislator to receive
this award for efforts in back-to-back sessions.
Special Citation for Legislative Advocacy
George Bristol
Texas Coalition for Conservation
George Bristol was nominated for a Special Citation by the TRAPS Legislative
Committee in recognition of his efforts to promote parks & recreation before
the Legislature and other political leaders. As President and Executive Director
of the Texas Coalition for Conservation, Mr. Bristol has dedicated countless hours
to promoting the importance of parks & recreation for the people of Texas.
His efforts were critical to the success of HB12 during the 80th Legislature.
George also played a key role in uniting groups with a common purpose, and was
instrumental in developing the State Park Advisory Committee, who issued a
report that helped the Legislature and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission u
understand the funding crisis that faced TPWD.
Promotional Award
Mansfield Parks and Recreation Department
In 2007, the Mansfield Parks & Recreation Department mailed out over 88,000
copies of their quarterly Parks & Recreation Brochure, and distributed
thousands of copies of their Parks Guide, Sponsorship Brochure, and
Senior Lifestyles Brochure. They were also the subject of numerous
newspaper and magazine articles promoting active lifestyles. Their
promotional materials also included give aways and a series of articles
called "Seniors on the Go" written by a program participant. All of this
was accomplished in-house with assistance from the City’s Public Information
Officer and Graphic Designer.
Best Web Site Award
Plano Parks and Recreation Department
- www.planoparks.org
Looking for ways to more efficiently provide information to the public, the
Plano Parks & Recreation Department redesigned their website,
www.planoparks.org, to include unique features that allow for
faster access to program details and information relating to the City’s
popular attractions. One of the most successful additions has been a feature
that allows citizens to subscribe to individual pages within the site that
notifies them of updates to just that page without searching through an
entire newsletter. Citizens are also able to download maps to sports complexes
to locate fields without having to call for directions, saving time for
themselves as well as staff.
Media Excellence
Sounds of Spring Concert Series - North Richland Hills Parks and Recreation Department
For their 2007 Sounds of Spring Concert Series, the North Richland Hills Parks &
Recreation Department focused on bringing the sounds of Texas Country to their citizens.
Through a partnership with local radio station 95.9FM The Ranch, the events received 156
sixty second radio spots, 150 on-air mentions, 150 ten second recorded mentions, 6 live
remotes, and 24 one-minute live call-ins during the event. They were also able to
interview each artist prior to the concerts, and these interviews received over 70,000
hits on YouTube, MySpace, iTunes, the program’s website, and the artists’ websites, all
for free. In fact, due to in-kind contributions, the entire budget for the seven-week
program was only $14,700 - a cost per participant of less than $2, for an event that
has been endorsed by artists Norah Jones, Lucinda Williams, and Willie Nelson.
Individual Award
Emily Galpin
Southlake Community Services Department
Ms. Galpin serves as the President of the Bob Jones Nature Center and has been
a catalyst in promoting the natural ecology and environmental education within the
City of Southlake. Over a period of many years, Ms. Galpin has provided the on-going
direction, diligence, and enthusiasm necessary to turn what was once a dream into a reality.
As a result, the City of Southlake is both proud and excited to be able to offer a nature
center in a natural setting second to none. Additionally, Ms. Galpin serves as a member
of the City’s Parks and Recreation Board and has been a tremendous advocate for providing
a balanced system that strives to provide opportunities for individuals of varying ages,
abilities, and preferences.
Service Club Award
The Woodlands Dog Park Club
The Woodlands Parks and Recreation Department
What began with a group of interested residents in 2002 has now resulted
in three Off Leash Dog-Friendly Areas within The Woodlands. The Woodlands
Dog Park Club has also donated approximately 5,000 volunteer hours per
year keeping the parks maintained and educating residents about using
the dog parks. They have also received several grants to help run spay/neuter
programs, and have raised funds to provide dog bags and other supplies for the parks.
Conservation Award
Town Lake Trail Foundation
Austin Parks and Recreation Department
Between 2000 and 2005, the Austin Parks & Recreation Department maintenance budget
was reduced by over $5 million. As a result, the hike and bike trail around Town
Lake became a victim of its popularity. The Town Lake Trail Foundation was formed
as a grassroots effort to assist with funding the maintenance and improvement of
the trail, which sees . To date, the Foundation has raised over $1 million for
maintenance, and was instrumental in obtaining $1.7 million from the City Council
for engineering and design to complete a 1.1 mile gap in the trail. Through their
efforts, several projects have been completed or are in the planning stages that w
ould otherwise have remained on the drawing board.
Commercial Award
USAA and USAA Federal Savings Bank
San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department
USAA, USAA Federal Savings Bank, and their employees
have assisted the San Antonio Parks & Recreation Department
over the last eight years by donating their time, talents, and
fiscal resources to improving parks and recreation facilities where
funding was not available through other means. Often these projects
have been in the inner city, where the need is greatest. Among other
projects, USAA has donated funds and labor to purchase and install four
playgrounds in inner city locations within the last eight years. Employee
volunteer groups have also donated thousands of hours of their time toward
park cleanup and rehabilitation projects across the City.
Excellence in Planning Award
San Antonio River Basin Plan
San Antonio River Authority and HNTB Corporation
The San Antonio River Basin Plan was developed with extensive public and
stakeholder input, and provides a vision and methods to achieve a multi-jurisdictional
collaborative system of existing and proposed parks and multi-modal trails that
physically and thematically link communities with the area’s natural, cultural,
and recreational resources, unifying them with the 240-mile San Antonio River.
The plan was completed by HNTB Corp. for the San Antonio River Authority.
Arts and Humanities Award - Class I
The 25th Annual Ms. Mature Irving Pageant
Irving Parks and Recreation Department
Started 25 years ago, the Ms. Mature Irving Pageant was the first pageant
offered for senior women in Texas. Since its inception, the program has grown
to become one of the premier recreational events offered by the Heritage Senior
Center, and is considered the top performing arts competition for senior women
in the City. Its success has also led to many ladies joining other groups
within the Center to prepare for the annual competition. The pageant has served
as the catalyst for bringing residents, community service organizations, and
the City of Irving together in providing a united front to assist senior citizens.
Arts and Humanities Award - Class II
A Night to Shine
Grand Prairie Parks and Recreation Department
The City of Grand Prairie’s newest recreation center, the Bowles Life Center,
hosted its first performing arts recital in 2007. A Night to Shine
featured 60 students from the center’s classes. Entertainment at
the two-hour event featured the Bowles Life Center Community Band,
adult clogging, twirlers, Polynesian dancers, and the "No Limit" dancers,
which feature styles ranging from ballet to salsa and everything in between.
In total, 9 classes performed 19 different routines. The entire program was
produced on a $100 budget.
Arts and Humanities Award - Class III
Art is Awesome Summer Science Camp
Baytown Parks and Recreation Department
The City of Baytown’s Art is Awesome Summer Camp is a week long
program for 6th-10th grade students who learn to integrate art
and science concepts as they study patterns, colors in nature, and
scale of natural materials. Multi-cultural activities and field
trips also introduced the students to art history. Throughout the program,
the students studied and worked in over 10 different mediums ranging from
traditional African art to scientific drawings of objects observed under magnification.
Maintenance Award
City of Houston Aquatic Services
Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Beginning in 2005, the City of Houston Parks & Recreation Department noticed
that the chlorinators at their 40 pools required constant maintenance, and that
their chemical costs continued to increase under a contract that had been in place
for 15 years. Staff decided that a few major changes could be implemented within
their current operating budget, with a projected 40-50 percent cost savings. In May 2007,
a new contract for chemicals was secured, and 53 chlorinators were installed in time for the
summer season. In the first six months, this new maintenance plan resulted in a 58 percent
reduction in chemical costs. Projections for the plan’s five-year implementation cycle
are for a savings of over $950,000.
Outstanding Educator
Dr. Scott Shafer
A member of the Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences faculty at Texas A&M University for
12 years, Dr. C. Scott Shafer has set the standard for excellence in undergraduate teaching
in the department. Dr. Shafer’s primary teaching responsibility is a Park Planning and Design
Class which had 40 students in the spring 2007 semester. In their evaluations of the course,
the students gave him an average score of 4.94 on a 5 point scale across 15 measured areas.
He also strives to incorporate a live project for students to develop master plans or other
documents for agencies in the area. One of these projects resulted in the City of College
Station receiving an $80,000 grant for a trail development project.
Jack Ashworth Endowed Scholarship
Tomara Rock
Tomara Rock is an undergraduate student majoring in Recreation and Leisure
Sciences at the University of North Texas. While at UNT, she has served as
the Historian of the RLSS student organization, been a member of the rock
climbing club, and become active in the TRAPS Student Branch. She has volunteered
at the Regions 2/3 Conference, the TPWD Expo, and the Fall Festival 5k Run
benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Denton. Outside of school, she has also
held part time jobs with the City of Rowlett and the City of Denton Parks &
Recreation Departments. Tomara hopes to use her education and experience in
parks and recreation to work in the municipal setting and to serve her community to the fullest.
Lone Star Programming Award - Class I
P3 - Play Pride Prosper
Austin Parks and Recreation Department
Seeking a way for kids to participate in a sustainable activity program
that would help combat obesity, Austin Parks & Recreation implemented P3
for the first time in 2007. The program encouraged one hour of physical
activity a day along with increasing the amount of water and fruits and
vegetables consumed. An emphasis was also placed on decreasing the amount
of soft drinks consumed. In recognition of it success, P3 was awarded a Shoes
For Austin grant, allowing 136 participants to receive a free pair of athletic
shoes based on their participation.
Lone Star Programming Award - Class II
Irving Corporate Spelling Bee
Irving Parks and Recreation Department
Looking for a way to increase their program offerings as well as increase
involvement of corporations and civic groups, the Irving Parks & Recreation
Department offered the Irving Corporate Spelling Bee, a lunchtime competition
in which teams from businesses and service clubs competed in spelling recreation
and health terminology. Funds raised from team entry fees and donations were used
to support the Irving Literacy Foundation.
Lone Star Programming Award - Class III
Liquid Science Program
Baytown Parks and Recreation Department
Recognizing that all Texas 8th graders are required to pass a state science exam,
Baytown Parks & Recreation created the Liquid Science Program in 2007 to educate
students about the hydrologic cycle and associated concepts relating to water,
watersheds, and aquatic ecosystems. Staff placed a particular emphasis on designing
activity stations around selected Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills requirements
as a way to directly correlate the recreational program to educational requirements.
Lone Star Programming Award - Class IV
Camp Do It All Teen Camp
Coppell Parks and Recreation Department
Responding to a need expressed by their community, Coppell Parks & Recreation
created a Teen Camp in conjunction with their existing Camp Do It All. The program
allows middle school students who have completed the 6th grade and older to experience
a safe and fun camping experience instead of being left at home during the summer.
Participants work as unpaid junior counselors for half of the day, and then participate
in life skills sessions for the other half. After meeting attendance and programmatic goals,
they were able to participate in a special field trip program as a group. Trips included NRH2O,
Studio Movie Grill, Mountasia, and Six Flags over Texas.
Lone Star Programming Award - Class V
Fathers and Flashlights
West University Place Parks and Recreation Department
Fathers and Flashlights is an urban camping experience designed to promote positive
father role-modeling while creating lasting memories, enjoying time with dad on an
overnight adventure, and raising funds for the renovation and improvement of West U. parks.
In keeping with the family-friendly nature of the event, 142 moms volunteered for 2 hour
shifts to assist department staff, and a troop of Boy Scouts volunteered to help first
time campers with setup. In its first implementation, Fathers and Flashlights drew almost 400 participants.
Innovations in Park Development Award
Central Bark Dog Park
Grand Prairie Parks and Recreation Department
April 2007 saw the opening of Central Bark, the City of Grand Prairie’s first dog park.
The park was a result of citizen requests, and was designed on 175 acres next to the
City’s pet adoption center. In another first for the City, staff were charged with
trying to be innovative in the design and construction of the park to make it possible
to be built completely in-house. Multiple departments were involved with all aspects
of the project, and completed it in 12 months while also maintaining their regular operational duties.
Park Design Excellence Award
Rob Fleming Park
The Community Associations of The Woodlands and Clark Condon Associates, Inc.
Rob Fleming Park is a 28-acre park which serves as the central park for The Woodlands
newest village, Creekside Park. The park will be used by residents of this village
and the community and as a gateway to the 1800-acre George P. Mitchell Nature Preserve
along Spring Creek. The unique design and craftsman theme is anchored by The Lodge
and the park is a perfect setting for activities ranging from kayaking, jogging,
playing, music festivals, and picnicking and it sets a new bar for park design in the region.
Recreation Facility Design Excellence Award
Cedar Hill Recreation Center
Cedar Hill Parks and Recreation Department and F & S Partners Incorporated
Prior to the construction of the Cedar Hill Recreation Center, the city had
no indoor recreation facility and very limited public meeting room space.
The Center now serves as a catalyst for community development by providing
a state-of-the-art facility which appeals to all age groups and reflects
the city’s desire to promote healthy lifestyles. Not only was this
building the city’s first recreation center, it was the first building
of this magnitude ever built by the City of Cedar Hill. The 54,000 sq. ft
center includes a two court basketball gymnasium, a weight/fitness room,
a three lane jogging track, an aerobic/dance room, youth activity room,
children’s activity room, locker rooms, lounge, meeting room and commercial
kitchen, and the administrative offices.
In 2004, the City of Plano adopted the Park Master Plan, an element of
the City of Plano Comprehensive Plan. This plan is a living document
that is consumer and statistically driven. Through this plan the department
identifies themes, strategies, and objectives that guide planning and actions.
The City uses plans, surveys, public meetings, focus groups and outcome-based
measurements to update the Park Master Plan. In direct response to patron desires
for recreation areas, open space and playing fields identified in the Park Master
Plan include: multi-phase development of the 800-acre Oak Point Park and Nature
Preserve, the completion of a 83,000 sq. ft. recreation center and pool complex,
Tom Muehlenbeck Center, and participation in a regional Six Cities Trail Plan.
Each is a significant project demonstrating achievements of part of the Plan.
The Woodlands Parks & Recreation Department’s initial development of a
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan began in 1997 and was approved
in 2001. The ten year plan used a five phase process: Inventory and Analysis,
Community Forum, Needs Assessment, Recommendations/Priorities and Implementation.
During the past three years, over $23 million has been invested in the acquisition,
development, and renovation of parks & recreation facilities. Additionally, The Woodlands
governing bodies have committed to a five-year capital improvement plan totaling over
$16 million. Through the commitment of community leaders and staff, the majority of
the goals of the Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan have been met.
The community is dedicated to quality parks and recreation facilities recognizing
the value and benefit they provide the citizens.
In 2005, the Pflugerville City Council approved the Parks and Open Space Master Plan,
which was subsequently approved by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
The Plan included an extensive public input and survey component, and has allowed
the department to obtain several parks and recreation grants to increase their
facilities and services. Additionally, the Parks & Recreation Commission solicits
public input to update a Five Year Plan. Under this plan, the City of Pflugerville
has been able to develop and open a new aquatic facility, several miles of trails,
and the 185-acre Lake Pflugerville, which serves as a primary drinking water source
and a fishing area.
