The Katy Parks and Recreation Department board wants to maximize the city’s existing parks and add more green space.

At the June 26 meeting, board member Keith Jobe said residents reached out to him about littering at the parks, and those who voiced concerns volunteered themselves and their children to pick up trash.

“I think a lot of it is kids going out there to play basketball, putting their water bottles on the edge of the court and forgetting them when they leave,” parks and recreation department Director Kaycee Reina said. “We live in a great community where most people aren’t just blatantly littering.”

Jobe said he wants to implement a survey to receive input from residents about which parks they frequent, their uses for them and the amenities they would like to see in the future.

“We have amazing parks and a lot of green space for our residents considering our size,” the department's Administrative Assistant Elysia Rodriguez said. “We have activities all the time, and a lot of people don’t realize it.”

Reina added the board can continue to maintain the parks, but if it wants to implement something new the board will need an elaborate plan with a timeline to present to Katy City Council during the budget season.

“We need a project to fight for,” she said. “I do want to work toward something based on the board’s recommendations as well as [those from] the public. We have to think about projects that make sense for our residents.”