Magnolia survey focuses on master plan for parks
Officials seek input on improvements as city continues to grow
As Magnolia continues to see growth, officials are looking for public input on how to improve the city’s parks and recreational facilities as well as what residents would like to see for future green spaces.
During an Oct. 12 meeting, Magnolia Economic Development 4B Corp. entered into an agreement with Conroe-based Burditt Consultants to assist the city with its parks and recreation master plan — something that hasn’t been updated since 2007, said Rachel Steele, director of economic development.
Until Jan. 26, residents will be able to answer an online survey on what outdoor facilities they would like to see more of in the community, what specific programs or events residents would like to see at the city’s parks and what specific amenities or features residents feel are lacking at parks and recreational facilities.
There will be a public meeting in late February to share the city’s findings, Steele said.
“I hope that if we have this conversation next January, we’re like, ‘We’re planning an amazing summer programs for kids and families that’ll be inspiring and local that you can access,’ ” Steele said. “I don’t know what that’s going to look like, but I hope it’s something like a movie in the park, or something like that, (and) have the equipment and facilities to do all those things successfully.”
Officials are trying to update the parks and recreation plan to be able to accommodate the city’s growth, she said.
The city of more than 2,000 residents is projected to grow to 53,000 residents by 2039, officials said.
In May, officials unveiled a planned $1.2 billion master thoroughfare plan to improve the city’s transportation network, which included roads, bicycle lanes, sidewalks and trails.
In December, the city extended, for a fourth time, a halt on accepting new building permits for residential and commercial development projects to address a water capacity shortage.
“Growth is the big story behind the need for more parks and facilities,” said Paul Howard, a Burditt Consultants representative and project manager for the city’s parks and recreational master plan, noting that most of the residents the firm spoke to recently moved into the city.
The consulting firm has also partnered with Montgomery County commissioners on a 400-acre park, expected to feature sports fields, pickleball courts, a skate and dog park, hiking and equestrian trials, gardens and an amphitheater in the Woodforest community.
“We’ve worked with the city of Magnolia on a number of projects as well,” Howard said. “We did the design and construction of Unity Park, which is the big city park in Magnolia.”
Unity Park, south of the city’s downtown area, has roughly 5,500 visitors a week, Steele said.
“It’s really used by the community, walked and played in,” she said. “So, to have even a future facility that may be more indoor recreation would be interesting, too.”
To take the city’s parks and recreation plan survey, visit cityofmagnolia.com.