Missouri City City Council accepted a donation from the Quail Valley Fund for the installation of a splash pad among other improvements at Ridgeview Park during its July 6 meeting.
In addition to a 20-water feature splash pad, the $904,000 project includes the installation of benches and a pavilion, a new restroom facility that will house the mechanical room and water recycling system for the splash pad, and updated signage.
Former Mayor Allen Owen presented the check on behalf of the Quail Valley Fund. He said with this donation, the homeowners association has contributed about $2 million to the city’s beautification and improvement efforts.
“This is a huge thing, and this is on behalf of all the residents who live in the subdivision,” Owen said. “It’s going to be a great event when we see it open.”
The donation from Quail Valley Fund for Ridgeview Park totals $750,000. Additionally, Park Zone 7 will contribute $88,000 toward the project, leaving $66,000 to be funded by the city.
While City Council unanimously accepted the donation, Council Member Vashaundra Edwards said she was concerned about spending $66,000 on one park.
“I just feel as if we're spending $66,000 on one park just because we have a generous donation,” Edwards said. “I do think that's an excessive amount of money that could be dispersed around the city as a whole.”
Council Member Floyd Emery said the council should take into consideration the large donation and the city’s relatively small investment in the project.
“I think this really fills some of the needs that the residents of Quail Valley Fund asked for and made a commitment to and put their dollars up to go forward,” Emery said. “Of course it’s going to be an open park. ... It's open to anyone in Missouri City.”
Director of Parks and Recreation Jason Mangum said community surveys highlighted the need for more splash pads across the city. Once installed, the city said the Ridgeview splash pad will serve as a standard for all future water features in Fort Bend County, according to city documents.
Ridgeview Park was selected as the location for this splash pad because Quail Valley Fund leaders wanted the donation to go toward a park in their area and because this park has ample space and parking, Mangum said. Located at Glenn Lakes Lane and Hwy. 6, Ridgeview Park is centrally located within the city, Mangum said.
During the July 6 meeting, the Quail Valley Fund also donated $50,000 toward a new pavilion at MacNaughton Park.
Council Member Jeffrey Boney said Quail Valley Fund’s donation is an example of how local entities such as HOAs, municipal utility districts and levee improvement districts can partner with the city.
“We're talking about a significant investment that is improving two of our city parks,” Boney said. “So, thank you Quail Valley Fund and all the other MUDs and entities that we're working with to improve the city and Missouri city as a whole.”
