[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6488345,"mediaKeyId","5599848-6ab49d0f342a9649b531cf22625c248d","parentId",5599848,"title","Parks Board adopts July 15 meeting minutes","audioSeconds",11,"startMs",117000,"endMs",128000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5599848-6ab49d0f342a9649b531cf22625c248d&start=117&end=128","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5599848-6ab49d0f342a9649b531cf22625c248d/thumbnail_117000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6488345/Abilene/Taylor-County/Texas/Parks-Board-adopts-July-15-meeting-minutes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488345-8f82467f84d1e273306eadb4ddd7410f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154065&Signature=NQERIK1YLKAveBifg9KENLee1pW8S24oE~7uOsdwEwhdLlQQ3rLfAwK23gk7aqhXnjmv4TbC3rFjSGzrOG~DS0s0V4zeR-F4kWeSycGJNn0IrltOVIoHTRNq729sOsjrbVHoY6pZexhyYorLkvxcJAxPtYKMNZbfqeY2OJZnu5-9c0-4p20JUU4rXZx5cE1hDz91zgRNP0mUBc2ZwjgJ2~qEZJWeOqU0bpWvnvRraguDPimy1XCrJdgf3c-zvvvF59437uCqjafZVI3I3jNH2gKVSAGEp8B8O4utBZw23XyLSVdrOuQ2K6lsAZYrGAzAfk1WGFo-WmURAwHzgDPSIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Abilene","date","2025-08-19T00:00:00Z","article","At the start of the meeting a board member moved to adopt the July 15 minutes. The motion was seconded by Robin (board member), and the chair called for a voice vote.

\"I move we accept the July 15 minutes,\" an unnamed board member said. Robin seconded the motion. The chair called for those in favor to say \"aye,\" and then declared the motion carried: \"Minutes are adopted.\"

The adoption was recorded as a unanimous voice vote; no roll-call tally was provided in the meeting transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Abilene - Parks and Recreation","oneSentenceSummary","The Parks Board voted to adopt minutes from its July 15 meeting at the start of the session; the motion passed by voice vote after a second.","taxTitle","Abilene, Taylor County, Texas","taxId",2817,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6488349,"Abilene Zoo trades lesser flamingos, opens Caribbean Cove and reports long-serving colobus monkey’s death",173,1233000,1406000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5599848-6ab49d0f342a9649b531cf22625c248d&start=1233&end=1406","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5599848-6ab49d0f342a9649b531cf22625c248d/thumbnail_1233000.jpg","/articles/6488349/Abilene/Taylor-County/Texas/Abilene-Zoo-trades-lesser-flamingos-opens-Caribbean-Cove-and-reports-long-serving-colobus-monkeys-death","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488349-7f356ab7fdfc3d0a2495c73aa856e345/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154065&Signature=kN0NuHVZqlrOZFaT6AQT0dU1NfBKIEbqfSXhYmfy23pGIYVDpqPybTS41R0uLJnKVPdyMr4X-O0gprbJSNs8TSrFS-h-DDR-VNiOP4n00-g0Rllc-j6RaLq4m2JAhOF-6tUn3DVOc76MXK-htFTBWzW-U0lhnmym73a~IKW2EkpaoQ~7Nr6vnN8XMppwOi90ZVJB-YaONhPRRFzE5KgKWyVDQb2HJEFF1Fgn4~SkPEKeqQVmnJYBN991xZVXrD2WOICMvdohQAzXgolOGjuybkQ7gdgqpFhTKBxK97X443YORm98hLldwfL9rDuk4WLLpu1bPlVzMkNJ0PzpYp5pFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jesse Patebaume, director of the Abilene Zoo, told the Parks Board the zoo transferred its lesser flamingos to other AZA institutions under a species-survival plan and replaced them with brown pelicans rescued by the Texas State Aquarium.

\"We fortunately had to say goodbye to our lesser flamingos. We're an AZA accredited institution... it was recommended for them to go to Fort Worth and Waco Zoo,\" Patebaume said, adding the pelicans are indigenous to the Texas coastline and are now on display near the zoo entrance.

Patebaume also reported the death of Carla, a colobus monkey the zoo said was about to turn 30 and is believed to have been the oldest colobus monkey in captivity in the United States. \"She had a ripe age, had a great, memory with the troop,\" Patebaume said. He said staff are awaiting pathology but that the death is likely from natural causes.

The zoo announced recent births including a blue duiker and a secretary-bird hatchling. Patebaume said renovations to the Caribbean Cove exhibit, which provides year-round viewing of sloths, toucans and other tropical species, will open to the public this Friday. The zoo also plans a family event with a \"Baby Shark\" show and meet-and-greets on Saturday; the event is free to members and is otherwise included with regular admission.

Patebaume said the zoo partnered with the Flying Bison baseball team for a promotional day in which mascots and players attended and signed baseballs.

No board action was required for the zoo updates; Patebaume presented the report as information.","Zoo director Jesse Patebaume said the zoo transferred its lesser flamingos to other institutions under a species survival plan, replaced them with rescued brown pelicans, will open its renovated Caribbean Cove this Friday, and reported the death of Carla, a colobus monkey believed to be about 30 years old.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6488353,"Parks department outlines resurfacing, restrooms, boat-ramp work and seasonal aquatics numbers",396,384000,780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5599848-6ab49d0f342a9649b531cf22625c248d&start=384&end=780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5599848-6ab49d0f342a9649b531cf22625c248d/thumbnail_384000.jpg","/articles/6488353/Abilene/Taylor-County/Texas/Parks-department-outlines-resurfacing-restrooms-boat-ramp-work-and-seasonal-aquatics-numbers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488353-1919108a697d3f4de2244aca20d15b8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154065&Signature=hcSAVMQin9GbJsM7663Q1sPsTis0iaIU-JzBXnzyMZcKd8QIowgoHMzUdIGbHHc2qeXVkzYB2zIFl52urlIViJ3sH4ZsSbCrWZb26rZ2jKilIqWkWqJ7RIovu2PJyajLjnDxUScUbQpmpNQ9Rd4rP6ajNOiBvrj1mMZ-Ve-R1ceJiuJikFSBosYUYPlLFHrY2usfp32eerzzfFzyjnTs1xMMjluf4cgq7WlSVueeKKrZboP~yrFvphpV10Dd7abDu-9jF9MGvn~mTIUiej2iwRvZ~hCBJzxKrVbeuT2EE~p5Y0hyr6Anfq4~lDWbRNVle9uA-J5Im3F22Xp3jD~dqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Staff presented an itemized list of approved minor improvements and operations updates for parks, aquatics and senior services, saying the work will be staged over the coming year and in some cases rely on grant matches.

Leslie (parks staff) said the minor-improvement list finalized Aug. 14 includes resurfacing Adventure Cove’s zero-depth pool, planning and pursuing matching grants to extend the Northwest and Southeast boat ramps at Fort Phantom, and replacing a restroom at Kirby Lake. \"The Adventure Cove resurfacing, that is for the 0 depth pool,\" Leslie said.

Leslie said boat-ramp extensions are being planned to reach lake levels last seen about 2016 so boaters can launch even if water levels fall; the ramp work will follow a multi-year Parks and Wildlife grant process that funds design first and construction later. She also said the city will pursue grants to offset costs but must keep matching funds on hand.

On restrooms and playgrounds, staff said Rose Park and Kirby Lake restrooms are slated for replacement and Nelson Park’s playground and splash pad will be addressed; Nelson’s splash pad was originally funded as part of a 2011 campaign and built in 2012 and now needs repairs. Leslie told the board the Rose Park restroom replacement is limited by existing utilities on site, which reduces infrastructure costs compared with installing a restroom at an undeveloped park.

Chris Gibson, assistant director of parks and recreation, reported on aquatics: July’s average daily pool count was 367.8 with a total guest count of 11,404 for the month. He said water-walker sessions for seniors were popular and the aquatics season ends Labor Day with shorter hours. He also said Nelson splash pad remains closed while staff await parts and electrical work.

Jesus Coronado, parks division manager, updated field and grounds work: crews completed sidewalk repairs near city hall, rerouted irrigation at Nelson ball fields and have begun phase two of Cobb Park pavilion renovation after removing an old restroom and replacing the roof. Coronado noted heavy summer rains kept crews active on mowing and flower-bed maintenance.

Anne Hall, seniors division manager, said the water-walker program drew 606 seniors in July. Hall described new senior programming including a gardening club and a rock-painting session; she also said Abilene therapy dogs will visit the senior center on Aug. 26 for National Dog Day.

Board members asked clarifying questions about costs and whether grant funds and FY26 budget amounts would cover projects. Leslie noted the city’s fiscal year 2026 begins Oct. 1 and that the city allocated $200,000 in FY26 for league grants and other minor-improvement funding. Staff said some projects will use that FY26 funding and some will rely on outside matching grants.

No formal votes were taken on the individual project items during the meeting; the list was presented as the parks department’s planned work for the coming year.","Staff presented a list of minor park improvements including Adventure Cove resurfacing, boat-ramp extensions that will require matching grants, restroom replacements, playground and splash-pad repairs, and reported aquatics and seniors program participation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6488358,"City wins two $150,000 habitat and angler-access grants for Kirby Lake and Fort Phantom",56,137000,193000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5599848-6ab49d0f342a9649b531cf22625c248d&start=137&end=193","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5599848-6ab49d0f342a9649b531cf22625c248d/thumbnail_137000.jpg","/articles/6488358/Abilene/Taylor-County/Texas/City-wins-two-150000-habitat-and-angler-access-grants-for-Kirby-Lake-and-Fort-Phantom","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488358-859ada61558e169f5a56cf506c2efebf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154065&Signature=Ic0KyKWRtWVO4t2cpuy8m7LuojclqrEONjFRbS3Pok2sd5opws2BtHu1xwnQccBi267QyfxqAVIcgEpnz~tVk5Uw88IcraHfAcugUG2nEMnt6hm-jd3YZ9fgjy8CIunggQanGNIuQfGEEzzc9NAhFb~8YMmcI80XC5HQoVCMXqaEYOVHuOftlhJYYB~qXV5rJoFEhR3by33N-hvW7FqKsflmK2yLgAl1PaVwbXPeF887q2w-HVcSo~r1VTUNQxNnM2TWncmC3ohzBwNjWxDqbai5AHuG8Q7yHX1NRuUUVdfg5BkXbFZIBjuUNS--ePU0TuzF8nwhBqU7vGxYFuD~Ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leslie (parks staff) told the Parks Board the city received two habitat and angler-access grants, each for $150,000, to improve boating and fishing access at Kirby Lake and Fort Phantom.

\"We did receive a habitat and angler access grant, this session. The grant will it's two $150,000 grants,\" Leslie said. She told the board the first project, at Kirby Lake, will replace an aging fishing pier with a multiuse pier that will also allow boat parking. The second award will fund a new fishing pier and boat dock at Fort Phantom’s Southeast Boat Ramp, where no pier currently exists.

The projects are staggered: staff said Kirby Lake is the first project and work on Fort Phantom will begin in the following grant cycle. Leslie said both projects are scheduled to be complete by August 2027.

A board member asked whether the $150,000 covers the full budget for each project. Leslie said the grants are reimbursable and that the city expects to contribute in-kind work and some matching costs. \"It is a 100% reimbursable grant. Now there will be some things that we do in kind,\" she said, adding that staff will handle demolition and some site work in-house and that engineering for Fort Phantom is already included in the project planning.

Board members thanked staff and Parks and Wildlife for helping secure the grants. Michael, who staff identified as working for Parks and Wildlife, was mentioned as assisting with the application.

The grants were presented as informational; no formal vote on the awards occurred during the meeting.

The board packet lists project sequencing and target completion dates; staff said the work will follow the grant cycles and that the Fort Phantom work will start in the year after Kirby Lake work begins.","Parks staff said the city received two $150,000 habitat and angler-access grants to replace the Kirby Lake fishing pier with a multiuse pier and add a fishing pier/boat dock at Fort Phantom’s Southeast Boat Ramp; projects will be staggered and must be completed by August 2027.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parks Board adopts July 15 meeting minutes

Abilene Zoo trades lesser flamingos, opens Caribbean Cove and reports long-serving colobus monkey’s death

Parks department outlines resurfacing, restrooms, boat-ramp work and seasonal aquatics numbers

City wins two $150,000 habitat and angler-access grants for Kirby Lake and Fort Phantom