The details
Collaborating with Hello Lamp Post, an advanced two-way communication platform, Sugar Land aims to foster additional engagement between the public and parks. This effort encourages residents to offer insights on their parks and their vision for the parks' future.
The collaborative endeavor, named "Hello Sugar Land Parks," aims to create a channel for individuals to share insights, suggestions and feedback about their parks, according to an Aug. 23 news release.
Utilizing real-time text message exchanges, city officials aim to gather crowd-sourced opinions and input. The data collected is anticipated to play a role in shaping park development and management decisions, according to the release.
What city officials are saying
"This goes beyond a typical survey,” said Kimberly Terrell, assistant diector of parks and recreation. “This opens up a different way to communicate with our park users directly and allows the city to gather data from users who may not reach out directly using 311 or traditional methods. Plus, the data is specific to the park that the patron is talking to so it helps the city take specific action."
Zooming out
Managing 27 parks encompassing over 1,174 acres of developed parkland and 35 miles of trails, the parks and recreation department aims to maintain high standards, according to the release. Facilities including the Imperial Park Recreation Center, the T.E. Harman Center and the Municipal Pool at City Park fall under the department's purview, according to the release.
The Hello Sugar Land Parks project is being implemented in various city parks, from local ones like Highlands Park to larger destinations like Memorial Park. QR code-bearing communication-enhancing signs are being placed at these sites, enabling residents to initiate conversations without additional apps or software, according to the release.
Quote of note
"This initiative aligns with our long-term strategy to enrich our parks for future generations while equipping us with the technology to process and respond to valuable insights," said Joe Chesser, director of parks and recreation.
Get involved
To learn more about the Hello Sugar Land Parks initiative, visit the official website at www.sugarlandtx.gov/hellopark. For further park details, individuals can contact the Sugar Land Parks and Recreation Department at 281-275-2825 or access information at www.sugarlandtx.gov/parks.
To stay informed on park-related developments, follow Sugar Land Parks and Recreation on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @SugarLandParks.
