Looking Back: 2023 Parks Year-in-Review

Reflection gives our brain an opportunity to pause amidst the chaos, to sort through and think about our observations and experiences, and interpret our past to give new meaning for the future. As we take stock of where we are now and where we want to be as a Department, we hope you are inspired to also transform experience into learning about your values and goals. Thank you for making this a year to remember. Wishing everyone the merriest of holidays and a prosperous New Year!

#12 February Ice Storm

The last days of January brought snow and ice--but mostly ice--to North Texas, making for slippery conditions and beautiful photos. Needless to say, Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter in February.

#11 Sharing the Love for Heart Montha file

Hosted at Plano's recreation centers, the Share the Love Open House Series was held in conjunction with American Heart Month in February. Visitors enjoyed free daily admission as well as demo classes, CPR training, heart-healthy snacks and giveaways. Mark your calendars for Feb. 12-16 for Share the Love Week in 2024.

#10 Summer Hiring Events

Our hiring events in January and March attracted dozens of quality candidates for the summer season. Held at Carpenter Park Recreation Center, the events yielded new hires for part-time and seasonal positions integral to summer operations. The 2024 Summer Hiring Events are scheduled for Jan. 6 and March 9. Click on the We're Hiring tab at planoparks.org to learn more about employment through Plano Parks & Recreation!

a file#9 Nancy Lieberman Dedicates Dream Court

April showers brought an indoor dedication ceremony for the new Dream Court at Willowcreek Park (2101 Jupiter Rd.). Provided by Nancy Lieberman Charities, the basketball court is the centerpiece to the newly renovated park and provides a safe place for youth to play, make friends and build friendships.

#8 Oak Point Recreation Center Pool Grand Re-Opening

Oak Point Recreation Center's new-and-improved aquatic facility kicked off the summer season, opening to the public in late May. Plano voters approved the $10 million project in the 2017 bond election. The new outdoor pool features a dual entry wave pool, splash pad, rentable cabanas, and other amenities for Recreation members and guests.

#7 Plano 150th   Birthday Celebration

The City of Plano marked its 150th birthday on June 3 with a birthday party in Haggard Park complete with cupcakes, commemorative birthday presents, music and fun with friends. The milestone was also an opportunity to explore our city's rich history. Take a digital journey to different eras of Plano's past and discover new and interesting facts from the past and present on Plano's 150th anniversary page.

a file#6 PSA Pickleball Partnership

A partnership with the Plano Sports Authority (PSA) over the summer expanded open play pickleball to the PSA1 location (6500 Preston Meadow Dr.). Now, PSA and Plano Recreation members enjoy discounted rates and free access to drop-in pickleball. Combined with courts at High Point Tennis Center as well as at our recreation centers, there are many options for joining the fun Check our Pickleball and Tennis Courts page for complete information regarding pickleball and tennis play options in Plano.

#5 History project brings Plano’s past to lifea file

Plano's 150th birthday celebration continued into September, as the City’s Library, Parks and Planning Departments unveiled a 5-year collaborative project yielding a digital archive spanning four decades of Plano history. The Plano Parks and Land Development Archive can be found on the Library's Collin County Images website. We hope you enjoy these images and news clippings as much as we do.

 #4 Bike Ambassadors

With the help of former parks director Don Wendell and his wife, Kay, our department set out on a mission to introduce novice riders and reacquaint the more seasoned cyclists to the world of bicycling in Plano. As our bike ambassadors, Don and Kay host monthly group rides for older adults and offers informational classes out of the Sam Johnson Recreation Center. Learn more about Plano’s trail system, complete with maps and other biking resources, at bikeplano.org.

a file#3 Saying farewell to Plano’s oldest tree

A stormy October caused one of North Texas' true treasures to fall, leaving us heartbroken. The Quadricentennial Bur Oak in Bob Woodruff Park South was widely known as the oldest and largest tree in the City of Plano and North Texas. It stood 90 feet high and had a circumference of 15 and a half feet. The tree stood there when the U.S. constitution was signed in 1787. In fact, arborists believe the giant Bur Oak was more than four centuries old. Parks staff is working with community partners to determine the best way to remove and reuse the remnants of this old friend. Stay tuned in 2024 for more updates.

#2 Celebrating 10 years of Boo Basha file

Hundreds of families descended on Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center in October for our 10th year of spooky carnival-style fun. Boo Bash began in 2012 and bounced back in a big way in 2022 after a two-year hiatus. Pulling off an event like this requires a lot of coordination and teamwork, and hindsight certainly ensures everything runs smoothly. Décor and games (a lot of which staff makes themselves) are properly stored for reuse and work starts as early as August. Our volunteers also play a big role by packing goodie bags and running the carnival games. Ask us how you can be a part of our 2024 event by emailing parksinfo@plano.gov. 

#1 Taking Home the Gold

Christmas came early to the City of Plano in October, as the Parks and Recreation Department received the National Gold Medal Award at the National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) annual conference. The national achievement marked the fifth such award for the City of Excellence, which received its first Gold Medal in 1979. Three more wins followed in 1987, 1997, and 2015. Agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of citizens, staff and elected officials.

“Winning the National Gold Medal is an amazing feeling,” Director Ron Smith said. “Throughout the years, we have remained strategic, thoughtful and deliberate, re-affirming the Department’s commitment to delivering outstanding services, facilities and programs to Plano residents every day. This award also reflects our efforts to help achieve and maintain City Council’s vision for Plano, in which all residents experience an unparalleled quality of life.”

Accredited since 1994 and ranked #1 in Texas by the Trust for Public Land, Plano Parks and Recreation provided more than 7,000 health, wellness and recreational programs in 2022, enrolling nearly 58,000 participants of all ages, backgrounds, income levels, and abilities. Its collaborations with schools, businesses and non-profits have also cultivated community-wide advocacy for quality parks and recreation in Plano. For more information on the Gold Medal Awards, visit nrpa.org/goldmedal or aapra.org. 

Original source can be found here.