Sugar Land parks interim director reviews mission, facilities and near-term projects

Interim Parks and Recreation Director William Hajek opened the board’s annual orientation with a refreshed mission and a snapshot of the department’s operations, staffing and capital priorities. "Sugar Land Parks and Recreation is committed to creating, maintaining, and providing inclusive recreational opportunities, innovative events, and high quality parks," Hajek said, describing new strategic goals for the next one to three years.

Hajek told board members the department has 43 staff members (32 full-time and 11 part-time) serving a city population just under 120,000 and listed the department’s assets: 2,581 total park acres, roughly 1,400 developed acres and 1,100 undeveloped acres, 23 miles of trails and 27 parks including community and special-use sites such as Cullinan Park and the pump track. He said department programs range from youth sports and aquatics to the T. Harmon Senior Center and special events such as the farmers market.

The presentation highlighted how staff use data to prioritize work. Hajek said the department reviews Placer.ai visitation data to track trends — noting Eldridge Park and Sugar Land Memorial Park among the most visited sites — which informs maintenance and capital decisions.

On capital planning, Hajek listed near-term projects identified in the parks capital improvement program: a senior center needs study, Colonial Park Phase 3, a splash pad at Memorial Park and upgrades at Eldridge Park. He told the board parks’ share of the city’s capital program is 2.9 percent and referenced slide figures that show citywide CIP totals (staff slide figures provided in the board packet). "We're looking to wrap [the senior center study] up in the next couple of months," Hajek said.

Hajek also reviewed recent and completed work — wayfinding signs, playground replacements, pavilions and other small capital projects — and described ongoing maintenance spending (staff cited roughly $200,000 annually for park rehabilitation and repairs). He emphasized volunteer engagement through Serve Sugar Land and listed upcoming and recurring public programs, including the Imperial Park Recreation Center’s farmers market and expanded membership following the new cardio weight room.

The orientation concluded with reminders on board duties and attendance expectations, and Hajek invited questions from members. The board received the orientation and did not refer any of the department items for immediate action.

Looking ahead, Hajek pointed to the department’s public events calendar and the planned completion of several capital projects in 2026, including the Memorial Park splash pad (currently out for bid).