Local officials toured the NinjaCross Course

Earlier on Thursday, city officials met at pirates bay in Baytown to tour the newly installed NinjaCross Course. Pirates Bay is the 1^st aquatic facility in North America that installed the brand new attraction in their park. Jenna Stevenson the aquatics director was present during the time when the officials were touring the attraction.

Discussions started in the Park and Recreation advisory board meeting in September 2019. The target time frame to open the Ninja was the start of the summer of 2020. Click here to see the first article

On October 03, 2019, the city council approved the ordinance authorized the sole source purchase and installation of the “Ninja Cross” attraction at Pirates Bay Water Park from Progressive Commercial Aquatics, Inc.in the amount of $ 257,500.00. Click here to see the second article.

In February 2020, the installation started up. Now for the bigger pieces, the crews had to use a crane to fly in the pieces. Click here to see the third article.

Discussions underway for a new pavilion at Roseland Park

In 1948, Roseland Park was built and opened to the citizens of Baytown. Ever since then, the park was maintained, but once in a while, something new to do arises. Parks and Recreational Department decided to do some alterations to make the park great again. Local citizens were concerned about the park, because of the potential growth that the area has seen over the last couple of years, the Parks and Recreation Department stepped up on ideas that will save the park, and get the local citizens interested in going to the newly redesigned park to exercise, play, or a simple picnic.  

We hurricanes like Ike, Alicia, and Harvey; the most catastrophic hurricane that caused more damage was Hurrican Harvey. Harvey devastated Roseland Park. City of Baytown had to bring in heavy  equipment to completely repair the park due to he catastrophic damage that Harvey caused. The park was flooded three times, but since Harvey hit, the City of Baytown had to get a FEMA grant because of the damage of Harvey.

 Recently on August 22, 2019, the park had a ribbon-cutting of five shade structures that were provided by, Be Well Baytown. See article https://nnbnewstoday.com/ribbon-cutting-ceremony-at-roseland-park-with-video/

On January 08, 2020, Parks and Recreation advisory board met and had a discussion about the new Pavilion. On Thursday, January 09, 2020, the Roseland Park is an agenda item for discussion in the city council meeting. The new pavilion will be safe from the flood waters; "We want to raise the pavillion couple of inches off the ground, said  Scott Johnson." The pavilion will be 3100 square feet. The maxiuim amount of people that can fit in a 2100 square feet space is 157 seats. 

The city council thought the idea of the pavilion was a good idea. The item on the agenda was not a consent item, but just a discussion item.  If the project gets approved, the new pavilion will be located on the southwest corner of the park. Near the splashpad "We're very excited about this," said Scott Johnson, Parks and Recreation Department Director. He added, "we're happy with the layout and the design." $750,000 budgeted is budgeted for the project.

Currently, the park serves within the District 6 of Baytown. 

City Council authorized the e update and development of the CoB 2030 Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Baytown Nature Center Master Plans in the amount of $250,000

[BAYTOWN] On Monday, November 18, 2019, the city council authorized a professional services agreement with Halff Associates, Inc., for services associated with the update and development of the City of Baytown 2030 Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Baytown Nature Center Master Plans in the amount of $250,000.
 
In 2000, the Parks and Recreation Department completed its first 10-year master plan.  In 2010, with the assistance of Halff Associates, Inc, the City of Baytown 2020 Parks Recreation, Open Space and Greenway Master Plan was completed.  The staff has used this master plan since and it was beneficial, as well as, it was a big requirement for the successful Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Jenkins Park grant.  The plan has also been used as background information of numerous other grant applications. 

It is now time to start working on the 2030 Master Plan.  This new plan will include a trails master plan, as well as, a new master plan for the Baytown Nature Center (BNC) whose last plan was completed in the mid-1990s.  The next plan will focus on the significant growth in the north and east side of the city, as well as, possible trail links across the city. 

The consultant plans to meet with several stakeholders including Council, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the Friends of the Baytown Nature Center and Wetlands Center among others, as well as, use surveys and any other means needed to gain valuable information from our citizens.  The master plan will also include information from other master plans including the Russell Park Master Plan, the Recreation Center Feasibility Study, and the Aquatics Facilities Master Plans.

City Council authorized the closeout and acceptance of the Evergreen Clubhouse Renovation Project and the release of retainage to Mike Bricker & Associates, Inc.

The City Council authorized the closeout and acceptance of the Evergreen Clubhouse Renovation Project and the release of retainage and payment of amounts due to Mike Bricker & Associates Inc., totaling $63,116.71. The amount is the outstanding retainage ($58,594.71) plus a two final change orders 5 & 6 in the amounts of $1,190.00 and $3,332.00. The change order 5 addresses cost associated with changing the ceiling tiles in rooms 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 125 and 127; while charge order 6 addresses the cost associated with providing a wireless cellular device connection to the Fire Alarm System and 3 – 120v 20 amp circuits for the fire suppression system dry system air compressor, 2 for fire alarm control panel. The original price was $1,036,330.00; six change orders totaling $140,086.20 will be processed bringing the revised contract amount to $1,176,416.20. The source of funds came from the MDD Sales Tax with the amount needed $63,116.71.

Baytown City Council approves the Annual Contract for Food and Supplies for the Pirates Bay Water Park with Ben E. Keith Company

City Council approves the Annual Contract for Food and Supplies for the Pirates Bay Water Park with Ben E. Keith Company in the amount not to exceed of $240,000.00. Food and supplies will be delivered to the Pirates Bay Water Park beginning April 1 through September 30, 2019. The contract renewal will be in effect from January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019. The source of funds will come out of the operating for the Fiscal Year 2019.

The Ice Rink is now open for the season

We had a preshow for the season opener.

The Town Square Ice Rink will be open for the Christmas season on Friday, November 23, 2018, at 6:00 P.M. The rink will be open daily from 6:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M. with the exception of Christmas Eve and New Year Eve, which will open from 1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. The Ice Rink will be closed on Christmas Day and News Year's Day. The rink will be open from 10:00 A.M. - 10:00 P.M. during "Christmas on Texas Avenue" on Saturday, December 8, 2018, and on "Snow Day" on Saturday, January 12, 2019. The ice rink will be open from 8:00 A.M. till 1:00 P.M. during the December Farmers Market on Saturday, December 15, 2018. All opening times are subject to change if weather conditions dictate otherwise. The Town Square Ice Rink will close for the season on Sunday, January 13, 2019, at 10:00 P.M. Private rentals will still be available during non-standard hours for $150.00 per hour. For more info, contact Pirates Bay at 281-422-1151.

As far as the rules go; there are rules to follow.

New Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member is Terry Sain

Terry Sain is the new Board member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. He was a city council member.  

Ice Skating Rink due to be open on Black Friday

The Evergreen Park Clubhouse update

The Evergreen Park Clubhouse is nearing in construction completion on Evergreen road between Business 146 and the Farm to Market 2354. The Clubhouse will provide convent access to both Hwy 146 and the newly constructed Hwy 99 corridor. The Clubhouse will overlook the scenic Evergreen Park with nearly 2.5 miles of walking trails. The Clubhouse is available for rental of civic and social events with seating for up to 150 guests.

Amenities include:
3,300 square foot Meeting Room
Restroom Facilities
Men and Women Dressing Rooms
Catering Kitchen
Refrigerator Ice Machine
1,400 square foot Outdoor Patio with Public Restrooms
Outdoor wood burning fireplace
You will be able to have alcohol at the Clubhouse, but there is an Alcohol policy.
Two uniformed BPD officers between $25.00 – 30.00 per each hour
One uniformed BFD Firefighter
Liquor Legal Liability or Host Liquor Liability Policy with $1,000,000 coverage
The certificate shall be provided 10-working days prior to the event
A.M Best Rating of A-/VIII
CGL Coverage shall be a broad form
Waiver of Subrogation in favor of the City of Baytown is required
The city of Baytown shall be listed as an additional insured
A 30-day notice of cancellation
No coverage exclusions shall be deleted from the standard policy without notification of individual exclusions being attached for review and acceptance

You will be able to host HOA meetings, weddings, and other events at the Clubhouse. There was an idea in a recent idea of renting out to the Rotary Club and other organizations for a monthly and/or yearly rate.

Update on the Recreation Center

Recently the Parks and Recreation discussed the update on the Recreation Center. The site will be on a 9 acre on the vacant lot by Kroger on North Alexander Drive. There were other sites that were looked at; Evergreen Park, Gene and Loretta Russell Park. The reason why North Alexander made the pick was; walkability and nearby amenities. This also provides an increase for the economy on North Alexander.

There were early site studies and a poll. The online survey opened on May 9, 2018, and closed on June 15, 2018. Over 900 citizens voted on this poll. The townhall happened on May 31, 2018.

The project kick-off happened on May 4, 2018. The uniquely designed, members-only, 60,000 square-feet, two-story building will house; a nice lobby, a cafe’, babycare center with a play area while you have fun, 2 basketball courts, 2 swimming pools “one for the children and one for the adults,” racquetball courts, first aid room, 2 multi-purpose rooms, a room for the senior citizen to go in and enjoy fellowship or games, elevated track that overlooks the basketball courts that connects to the fitness rooms, Cardio fitness, yoga, locker rooms, showers, staff areas, and an observation deck to overlook the pools. Outside a detention pond, and tennis courts. The Recreation Center attended to be fully utilized and can be used as a venue in future developments.

The Recreation Center will have Part-time and Full-time employees.
This is only the tip of the iceberg. The project can cost between 23 million to 32 million dollars, and that is just the rough estimate.
Now the project heads to the City Council for approval. The approval is set for Oct. 2018.