West University Place officials approved an agreement that accepts a $125,000 donation to begin planning a potential passive park on Robinhood Street.
The details
The donation comes from a private family who have committed $250,000 toward the proposed park through the Friends of West University Parks Fund. The first $125,000 will be used for surveying, planning and design work. The remaining $125,000 would be given when the property is officially donated.
The property is currently under lease to a different resident.
If the property is donated and developed as a park, it would be permanently named Helen’s Park. The agreement requires the city to dedicate the property as a public park and use it as a “passive park,” meaning it would not be used for formal or structured athletics.
The park would be designed for low-impact recreational activities such as walking and enjoying nature.
The agreement allows for the possibility of swings or nature-themed play elements but prohibits improvements that would interfere with residents' enjoyment of the property, including bright lights or noise-producing elements.
What they are saying
Susan White, West U’s parks and recreation director, thanked the family at the Aug. 17 meeting.
“Their generosity provides an exciting opportunity to provide another special public place for our park system,” she said. “We are grateful for the investment in the future of our park system.”
Mayor Susan Sample said she was grateful for the donation.
“If anyone's driven by the site, it's an amazing place where it's going to be as well,” Sample said. “So we'll be rolling out information on it as things develop.”
One more thing
The city would have final authority over the park's design and improvements, provided they comply with the passive-park requirements. The family would be allowed to review the design and provide comments.
