The Wylie Parks and Recreation Board heard detailed project and program updates at its first meeting of 2025, including plans to double pickleball capacity at Community Park, renovate additional Founders Park fields, install shading and lighting at several playgrounds, add solar lighting to the dog park and complete chemical balancing at two splash pads.

Those updates, presented by Brent Stowers, Parks staff, laid out schedules and next steps for capital work and seasonal programming. Board members approved the November 6, 2024 meeting minutes during the meeting and later moved to adjourn after wrapping reports.

Brent Stowers said the Community Park pickleball facility will expand from three courts to six, and construction began the day of the meeting. "We're doubling the size of that pickleball court…right now it's 3 courts. We're moving to 6 courts now," Stowers said. He said concrete work has started, the poured slabs require a 28-day curing period before surfacing, and officials plan to add shade and lighting later; the courts themselves should be open in early 2025.

On turf fields, Stowers said City Council approved renovation of Founders Park fields 4 and 5 (the south portion). Contractors are expected to begin removing turf in February, rework irrigation, apply a sand cap to improve drainage and resod. "We expect those fields to be out pretty much all spring, and then we'll start…play on them again in the fall," he said. Stowers noted the work came in under budget because prior work on electrical and irrigation during an earlier renovation reduced the follow-on scope.

Stowers said exterior repairs at the Brown House — replacing rotted wood, repairing window panes and some soffit and gutter work — are scheduled to start next week and are expected to take about three months, weather permitting. "The colors aren't gonna change. They're gonna keep the exact same colors," he said.

The board heard plans to add perimeter lighting to the dog park using solar-powered poles. Stowers said the council approved the project, a contractor has been selected, the poles are on order for March delivery and the board is adding about 12 lights so the paddocks will be more usable in evening hours.

Playground work includes full-playground shade for Pirates Cove (using multiple shade sails) and renovations of Riverway and Sage Creek playgrounds after council approval in December. Stowers said the two neighborhood playgrounds typically cost $60,000 to $80,000 each; equipment lead time after ordering is usually 11–13 weeks, with installations expected in late spring or early summer.

On the splash pads, Stowers said East Meadow is nearly complete aside from landscaping and a contractor visit in March to install and balance chemical systems. Community Park's splash pad features are being installed and the contractor will return in March for chemical balancing; staff will finish remaining concrete, grading, irrigation and landscaping.

Programs and events updates included results from recent seasonal events and upcoming offerings. Stowers reported the December Victorian Christmas market, held with the Wylie Arts Festival, had 23 vendors and more than 1,500 visitors toured the Brown House; 376 people attended the Donuts with Santa event. He announced an upcoming "Hooping with the Blue and Red" program on Jan. 25, coordinated with the Wylie Police and Fire Department, for four youth age groups (ages 4 to 18). Stowers said spring and summer camp registration is scheduled to open March 1.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (Nov. 6, 2024): Motion to approve the minutes "as presented" by Nicholas Fuente, seconded by Scott Havel; board voted by raised hands "1, 2, 3, 4, and 5." The presiding officer stated, "Unanimously, the motion carries," and noted Sene Turner and Gloria Suarez were absent from the meeting.

- Adjournment: Motion proposed by Miss Harrison and seconded by Brian; board raised hands "1, 2, 3, 4." The presiding officer stated, "We've got a unanimous vote," and noted the result was without Miss Turner or Mrs. Suarez.

Next steps and caveats: timelines are contingent on weather, contractor schedules and supply lead times. Stowers said some items — notably concrete curing and March chemical balancing for splash pads — set fixed waits before public use. Several projects were described as already approved by council or funded in prior budgets; Stowers referenced prior Founders Park work that reduced the current project's scope and cost.

The board had no public speakers in the gallery for non-agenda comments and concluded the first meeting of 2025 with a unanimous adjournment vote.