Memorial Park Conservancy Inc

Programs: See schedule opark management: the memorial park development agreement passed by houston city council shifted management and operations of 1,100 acres from city of houston parks and recreation department to mpc beginning february 1, 2016. To meet the demands of this new management agreement, the conservancy incurred large start-up costs to purchase equipment, materials, and supplies and to nearly double staff and contractors. Park management software was purchased to improve staff efficiency, customer service and to track productivity; a new cloud based document retention system and an electronic timekeeping system were part of additional technological improvements. Special projects included resurfacing trails, updating signage, maps, and entrances throughout the park, repairing damage after two unusual flood events, increasing mowing from every 21 days to every 7-14 days, daily clearing and de-littering of ada ramps and high-use parking lots, and daily restroom and sanitation services. The conservancy also has arobust internship and research program for studying the diverse aspects of managing, improving and maintaining a forested urban park. In addition to this work, more than 3,000 volunteer hours were contributed toward the rehabilitation and beautification of the park, all while working alongside professional staff and vocational horticulturists such as master naturalists and master gardeners.

see schedule oecological restoration: this year's ecological restoration and conservation program included convening an eco-tech panel of area experts that met frequently throughout the year to address and find solutions for ecological issues within the park. The conservancy treated approximately 190 acres for invasive species to prepare for the ecological restoration projects identified in the memorial park master plan. Two thousand trees were planted as part of ecological restoration work for the eastern glades project in partnership with trees for houston. The conservancy finalized an in-depth tree inventory to build on existing landscaped areas inventory and provided habitat assessment in select locations. In conjunction with this, a biological assessment was initiated to identify and inventory all living creatures in the park (insects, animals, and plants). As part of an ongoing fuels management program, over 140 acres were treated for hazardous fuels reduction including the removal of 900 hazard trees. Over 1,000 stumps were ground as part of ongoing park care. A native meadow grass demonstration garden was installed to inform the success of future projects. In addition to ecological care of the natural environment, sensitive maintenance was the focus of the conservancy's volunteer and community outreach program.

see schedule ocapital improvements: the conservancy, in partnership with the uptown houston tax reinvestment zone #17, implemented capital improvements as part of the master plan. All master plan phase 1 projects were developed through conceptual design. The first master plan project, the eastern glades, broke ground. Project planning and design work progressed including archeological studies for memorial groves; preparation of construction drawings for phase 1 of eastern glades; and schematic design work for the park's hogg bird sanctuary led by partnering organization houston parks board. Mpc supported the installation of a 12" water line and the final phase of resurfacing the popular exercise trail in the park. As part of advancing future capital improvements to the park, a capital campaign was launched and raised over $10m in pledges at the end of the fiscal year.