Bond propositions would create, improve recreational amenities

On Nov. 5, Sugar Land residents will vote on three propositions that make up the city's proposed $50 million parks bond. The propositions call for a new community park, continuation of the Brazos River Park project along with a proposed festival site, and several miles of new hike and bike trails.

If voters approve the propositions, work is scheduled to begin in 2015 with the implementation of trail connectors and park designs and is expected to continue for the next five to seven years.

"All of these projects have been in the city's master plans for about 10 years," said Karen Daly, assistant city manager with the city of Sugar Land. "We are adding to the rich quality of life seen in Sugar Land, and we expect to see numerous health benefits."

Developing a bond

Daly, along with a team of more than 100 resident volunteers who make up the citizens bond committee, traversed areas of Sugar Land during the past year to prioritize which projects should be included in the bond.

Through their findings, the task force decided on four projects that residents would benefit from directly. Alternative projects, such as additional amenities and infrastructure, were discussed within each project in the case that all the money is not used.

If approved by voters, the $50 million parks projects would affect property tax rates by no more than $0.05 spread over five years. The city's tax rate will rise by no more than $0.01 each year beginning in 2015. However, city officials hope to absorb the increase through its average 3 percent increase in the property tax rate reflected annually. If a tax increase is required, the tax rate in 2015 is expected to be $0.3589.

To gain feedback from residents and to prioritize projects effectively, 10 members of the bond committee were appointed as chairs for each of the propositions.

"Families and neighbors should have more opportunities to connect with each other," committee co-chair Betty Baitland said. "Investing in Sugar Land in these ways makes it an attractive destination."

Proposition 1

Proposition 1 includes plans for a proposed community park, featuring a variety of amenities that will allow for activities ranging from soccer to cricket to lawn bowling. The bond amount is about $18.54 million and includes parks and recreational facilities along with the 65-acre park at Chatham and Easton avenues.

When plans for the community park were presented to City Council in late August, residents and members of local sports associations—including local soccer, lacrosse and tennis groups along with members from the Houston Cricket League—turned out to show their support.

"The community park went through an extensive public process, which included stakeholder meetings, public meetings as well as community-wide surveys," said Tim Stubenrouch, who served as co-chair of the community park on the bond committee. "Some of the top [park features] in which the survey of citizens wanted to see are in this park."

Other features of the park will include two parking lots and a park building along with lockers, small retail facilities, a central pavilion, a playground and labyrinth and improvements to the on-site cemetery.

Proposition 2

Phase 2 of the Brazos River Park project and a proposed festival site make up the park bond's second proposition. Phase 1 of the project was completed in 2008 and included the construction of Memorial Park, a mountain bike trail and a dog park.

The second phase includes more than 85 acres of new space and will implement additional trails, park space for general use and a proposed boat house to allow for the increasingly popular Dragon Boat Races and other activities.

"The idea is to have a versatile site," Daly said. "We call it a blank canvas."

The $21.3 million proposition would also include the city's 33-acre proposed permanent festival site. If approved by voters, the site will feature nearly 700 parking spaces, two access points, restrooms and an overlook plaza.

"The promoter interest in a new live entertainment venue and festival site in Sugar Land is strong," said Mary Favre, who served as co-chair of the festival site with the bond committee. "Several promoters indicated interest in hosting large, multi-day events."

Proposition 3

The $10.16 million proposition calls for the implementation of a new network of trails that are expected to interconnect neighborhoods with existing trail systems.

The city of Sugar Land features about 65 miles of hike and bike trails, but several of these trails do not currently connect. To provide a continuous path through the city, increase alternative modes of transportation and improve resident's health, proposition 3 calls for the implementation of an additional 10 miles of trails. These projects are expected to connect popular trails, including Imperial and the First Colony trail segments, and will create a 5-mile trail along Ditch H.

Ditch H—one of Sugar Land's primary drainage facilities—has been widened in the past to handle increased development. The trail system along the ditch would connect trails in Imperial Park to the north and First Colony to the south and allow residents to travel under Hwy. 6 and Hwy. 59.

"We focused on segments that would make the most connections and allow the citizens to use most of the trails," committee co-chair Greg Stirman said.