Health & Wellness Edition: West U eyes pickleball courts, trail connectivity in parks master plan

Considering new green spaces, lighting and shade needs, pickleball interests and safe pedestrian access to parks are some of the improvements and ongoing efforts being considered in West University Place’s parks and open space master plan.

What you need to know

In November, West U’s Parks and Recreation’s 11 new board members were appointed, not long after City Council unanimously approved several master plan revisions during an Oct. 27 meeting. Parks and Recreation Director Susan White said the updated plan ensures the city’s facilities evolve over time.

“The updated plan serves as a guiding document for current and future West U residents and also its leaders when we’re considering making decisions regarding our parks and recreation facilities,” White said.

The update

The master plan updates were a collaboration over the last year between the city’s Parks and Recreation board members and city staff. Ongoing efforts for park improvements have occurred since 2015, officials said.

White said recommendations included adding information regarding the following:

• Colonial Park inventory
• Wier Park renovations
• Lighting and shade analysis
• Needs and interests for pickleball courts and public art
• Connectivity to Brays Bayou and Memorial Park trails
• Adding safe railroad crossings by the Recreation Center
• Adding safe pedestrian access to parks such as Evelyn’s Park in Bellaire

How we got here

West U officials completed the city’s first parks and open space master plan in 1989, according to agenda documents.

A second plan was developed in 2000, and by 2015, a volunteer citizen task force was added to the project. Before the October updates, the city utilized the 2015 master plan.

A full update to the city’s parks and open space master plan was recommended for 2030, according to White, where park officials will be looking at key points within the city, and possibly include a citizen task force for the project.

“Generally, these plans only have a shelf life for 10 years, and we’ve pushed it out for 15,” White said.