What’s the status of pandemic-delayed park projects?
By Kelly Kelbly, Parks & Recreation Assistant Director
Early this year, improvements and enhancements were underway at many of College Station’s favorite and most-visited park facilities.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, followed by the economic downturn. In most cases, construction came to a screeching halt.
So, what’s the status of those projects now?
Central and Bee Creek Parks: Demolition and construction have started in Central Park and Bee Creek Park on a pavilion and restrooms. In Central Park, park users can expect more climate-controlled restrooms, a new kitchen to rent, and a larger pavilion footprint that allows for more seating and foot traffic. The athletic shed will also have more climate-controlled restrooms and seats.
In Bee Creek, user groups and patrons will also enjoy more restrooms in the structure nearest the ball fields. Staff is working with the contractor to achieve a final product that will be open to the public by the end of the year.
Fun for All Playground: Construction of Phase II of the Fun for All playground includes a sensory maze, wee-go-rounds, musical play area, restrooms, and a synthetic turf field. While the splash pad will remain closed for the season, the playground will open by Christmas.
Veterans Park & Athletic Complex: October saw the start of construction on the next phase at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex, including drainage improvements for the front six athletic fields to funnel water from the playing surfaces. Concrete flumes will be constructed between the fields, and sidewalks will be added throughout the complex to provide better accessibility and get you safely to your destination.
Guests will also soon enjoy two military-themed playgrounds that are true to the spirit of the park. Other new elements include a restroom facility at the south end and the reconstruction of all three roundabouts in the park’s thoroughfare.
During construction, visitors can expect intermittent closures at various entrances and thruways. Depending on the weather, the work should be completed by the spring.
Lick Creek Park: Many of the popular trails at Lick Creek Park have been closed since last year while a major wastewater project is finished. Regrettably, the work has been delayed because of pandemic-caused material shortages. In the meantime, staff and volunteers have planted trees and worked with the contractor to improve the trail.
We expect to reopen the trail early next year.
If you have questions or concerns, we encourage you to contact us at parks@cstx.gov or 979-764-3486.
About the Blogger Interim Director Kelly Kelbly is in her 20th year with the College Station Parks & Recreation Department. A native of Gilmer, Kelly is a 1998 graduate of Texas A&M.
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Parks & Recreation: What’s open and what’s not?
EDITOR’S NOTE: The post was updated on June 18.
By Kelly Kelbly, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director
As Gov. Greg Abbott continues his plans to open Texas, the College Station Parks and Recreation Department has been making plans for reopening spaces, facilities, and programs impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We base our discussions on federal, state, and local guidance to prioritize public health and safety.
Regrettably, budget reductions resulting from a significant decline in sales tax revenue are also a factor. Remember also that phased reopenings aren’t an immediate return to normal operations. They include necessary and appropriate measures to reduce the risks of community transmission.
Here’s a look at our current situation, including some answers to your most frequent questions.
Open Facilities
- Basketball courts
- Community and neighborhood parks (Directory)
- Disc golf courses
- Dog parks
- Larry J. Ringer Library
- Lick Creek Park
- G. Hysmith Skate Park
- Pavilions and shelters
- Playgrounds (use is discouraged)
- Sand volleyball courts
- Stephen C. Beachy Central Park office
- Tennis courts
Facility Reopening Schedule
- Athletic Fields – June 1 for practices; June 15 for tournaments
- Lick Creek Nature Center office and restrooms – June 1 (open Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 1-6 p.m.)
- Park restrooms and water fountains – June 1
- Veterans Park & Athletic Complex – May 23
Remaining Facility Closures
- Adamson Lagoon
- Cindy Hallaran Pool
- Fun For All Playground and splash pad
- Lincoln Recreation Center
- Meyer Senior & Community Center
- Southwood Community Center
- W.A. Tarrow splash pad
Canceled Summer Programs
- Tsunami Swim Team
- American Red Cross Lifeguard Training
- Water Safety Instructor Certification
- Swim Lessons
- 5V5 Basketball League
- Summer Youth Basketball
- Summer Softball & Kickball Leagues
- Starlight Music Series
- Challenger Bowling
- Water Aerobics
- Mini Summer Camps
- College Station Senior Games (Sept. 25-27)
For your convenience, here are some answers to your most frequently asked questions:
Are playgrounds open?
Yes, but their use is discouraged. Citizens should stay six feet away from anyone who doesn’t live with them and follow other CDC guidelines.
Is Lick Creek Park open?
Yes, the trails are open. The office and restrooms will open on June 1. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m-5 p.m., and Sunday from 1-6 p.m.
Is Veterans Park & Athletic Complex open?
The park will open on May 23. The restrooms and athletic fields open on June 1.
When will the pools and splash pads open?
Adamson Lagoon and Cindy Hallaran Pool will remain closed for the 2020 season due to budgetary constraints, limited resources and continued health and welfare concerns regarding social distancing, sanitization, and staffing requirements. We will decide at the end of July regarding the possibility of opening splash pads.
Will you have swimming lessons this year?
Swim lessons have been canceled for the 2020 season. Click here for three water safety resources to help keep your family safe.
When will the Lincoln Recreation Center’s full-day summer camp open?
The summer camp has been canceled due to strict CDC guidelines regarding group sizes, activity restrictions, social distancing, sanitization, and staffing requirements. At this time, we are planning to offer the after-school program, beginning Aug. 13.
When will the Summer Parks Guide be published?
The summer guide will not be published. We are committed to providing updated information through our website.
Who will enforce minimum health protocols for non-city-sponsored youth sports and tournaments?
User groups and tournament organizers are responsible for developing, implementing, and enforcing minimum health protocols for their events at our facilities. The city is responsible for sanitizing restrooms, trash cans, and fields.
When will senior adult programming resume?
Senior programming won’t resume until the fall. People 65 years and older and those who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities are encouraged to stay home as much as possible.
Are dog parks open?
Yes, Barracks, Steeplechase, and University Park are open.
Can you fish at College Station ponds?
Yes, you can fish at Brothers Pond, Cy Miller, John Crompton, and Stephen C. Beachy Central Park ponds. You must have a freshwater fishing stamp if you’re 17 or older. For information on pond stocking, harvest regulations, and license requirements, go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website.
Are cemeteries open?
Yes, the Aggie Field of Honor and the College Station Cemetery are open for visitation. The hours are Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to sunset, and on Sunday from 6 a.m. to sunset.
We understand the vital role our department plays in our community’s quality of life, especially during these challenging times. We are faithfully working to create healthier, happier, and more connected communities while responsibly addressing the COVID-19 outbreak.
For more information, contact us at 979-764-3486 or parks@cstx.gov.
About the Blogger
Assistant Director Kelly Kelbly is in her 19th year with the College Station Parks & Recreation Department. A native of Gilmer, Kelly is a 1998 graduate of Texas A&M.
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Create fond family memories at Park in the Dark
By Brooke Littlefield, Assistant Recreation Supervisor
Thanks to Lick Creek Park in the Dark, you don’t have to travel far to create fun memories with your friends and family. The Lick Creek Nature Center family invites you to join us the night of Friday, Oct. 18.
You’ll enjoy campout favorites such as a hot dog dinner, storytelling, and a night hike. Our friends from Texas A&M’s Outdoor Adventures will also help you learn camping basics. The night concludes with a showing of the Disney-Pixar film “A Bug’s Life.”
The family-friendly event begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 7 a.m. Saturday morning. Campers must bring a tent, supplies, snacks, and drinks. Electricity won’t be provided, and don’t forget to pack a sleeping bag, flashlights, tent lantern, bug spray, and folding chairs.
Limited spots are available, and registration ends Wednesday, Oct. 16. The cost is $8 per person. Children must be accompanied by an adult (18+, and pets aren’t allowed.
If you don’t own camping gear, Outdoor Adventures can rent you some. For more information, call 979-845-7035.
Join us as we make camping memories for a lifetime!
About the Blogger
Brooke Littlefield is in her first year as an assistant recreation supervisor. A College Station native, she earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Texas A&M in 2017.
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Sewer work will impact Lick Creek Park trails
Click the map to enlarge
By Kelly Kelbly, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director
In a growing city, new and expanded sewer lines are a necessity. Unfortunately, the work involved also can create inconveniences and bring other changes.
That’s the situation we face at popular Lick Creek Park, which is located north of the Lick Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant near Rock Prairie Road. Work on a new sewer trunk line that runs across the park started Wednesday and will take a couple of months. The good news is that when the project is finished, you’ll notice significant trail surface and drainage improvements.
We deeply regret the inconvenience this necessary work will cause. We recognize that countless joggers, dog walkers, families, track teams and cyclists use the many miles of trails, especially those that tie into the Lick Creek Hike and Bike Trail in the northeast part of the park.
During construction, parts of the prominent Raccoon Run and Deer Run trails will be subject to intermittent closures. The entrance/exit for the Lick Creek Hike and Bike Trail will also have to be temporarily shut down at some point.
We encourage you to continue using the park — accessible from the Lick Creek Nature Center — but please respect the barricades and heed the warning signs. They are there for your safety.
Lick Creek Park’s beautiful trails exist because of the treatment plant, which began operating in 1987. Sewer lines were trenched toward the plant before the city developed the trail system years later. The new trunk line will run through the established public utility corridor from Fitch Parkway to the treatment plant.
For more information, please call us at 979-764-3486.
About the Blogger
Assistant Director Kelly Kelbly is in her 18th year with the College Station Parks & Recreation Department. A native of Gilmer, Kelly is a 1998 graduate of Texas A&M.
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Spots are going fast for Lick Creek Star Party
UPDATE (2/20): Since it might rain Friday night, we’ve closed registration so we can extend the Discovery Dome showings to last 30 minutes rather than 15. It will be the only activity if it rains. The Discovery Dome will be in the meeting room, and we’ll still have an RPTS booth with an activity and refreshments. We’ll contact registered participants to schedule their show time. If the weather is clear, we’ll still have the originally planned activities.
By Emily Thornton, Lick Creek Nature Center Part-time Program Supervisor
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what constellations are visible, what that extra bright star is, or whether you see a planet, a moon, or a star? Maybe all that intergalactic information gets lost in, well, space.
Or, maybe you’re just looking for something fun and out of the ordinary to do on a Friday night.
Enter the inaugural Lick Creek Star Party on Friday, Feb. 22 from 7-10 p.m. The event takes place at the Lick Creek Nature Center at 13600 Rock Prairie Road. The City of College Station’s Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with Texas A&M’s Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences Department to bring this unique, star-studded event to area residents. (more…)
Park in the Dark like a backyard campout – only better
By Hallie Hutchins, Parks & Recreation Marketing Assistant
You don’t have to travel hours this fall to enjoy camping out with your family. All you have to do is take advantage of the Parks & Recreation Department’s Lick Creek Park in the Dark the night of Friday, Oct. 19.
The family-friendly overnight campout gives you a chance to escape the city lights and take in terrific views of the nighttime sky in College Station’s largest nature preserve park.
After setting up your tent, you and your family can enjoy time-honored campground favorites such as a hot dog dinner, campfire storytelling, a night hike along the trails, and a movie (“The Parent Trap”) under the stars. The pros at Texas Primitive Outdoors will also be on hand to show you a variety of useful camping tips.
Check-in begins at 6 p.m., and the event ends at sunrise on Saturday. Campers must bring a tent, supplies, snacks, and drinks. Electricity will not be available. Don’t forget to pack a sleeping bag, flashlights, tent lantern, bug spray, and folding chairs. An adult must accompany children, and pets are not permitted.
If you register by Friday, Oct. 12, the cost is $6 for kids 2-12 and $8 for anyone 13 and older. After that, you’ll have to add a $5 late fee. For more information or to register, visit rectrac.cstx.gov or call 979-764-3486.
Gather your family and friends for this fun-filled, affordable camping experience.
About the Blogger
Hallie Hutchins is in her fourth year as marketing staff assistant in the Parks & Recreation Department after graduating from Texas A&M in 2014 with a degree in sports management. She has previously worked with the Dallas Sidekicks professional soccer team and Texas Team Junior Golf. Originally from White Oak, Hallie also attended Kilgore College and was a member of the famed Kilgore Rangerettes dance team.
Photo Copyright: gsagi / 123RF Stock Photo
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