City staff previews parks master plan update and student studio; visioning session planned for March 23

City staff briefed the Manville Park Board on Feb. 26 that the city's parks master plan (adopted 2017 for a 2017–2027 horizon) needs updating as part of a broader comprehensive plan process and that a parks master plan update will follow adoption of the comprehensive plan.

Josie (city staff) said the comprehensive master plan and major thoroughfare plan updates will provide guidance for a parks plan update and encouraged the board and public to review draft documents posted on the city website. Staff noted they will likely wait until the comprehensive plan receives recommended changes and is forwarded for council consideration before starting the parks master plan procurement and timeline.

Josie also introduced Dr. Sherry Smith and a graduate-studio team from Texas Southern University. Dr. Smith said the studio is a professional exercise for students to gather public input and prepare design studies; students plan outreach at the farmers market, an on-site visioning session and additional public engagement. Staff said a visioning session is tentatively scheduled for March 23, 4–6 p.m., and encouraged board members and residents to participate. Staff said a parks plan draft timing remains undetermined until the comprehensive plan adoption and possible hiring of a third-party consultant.

Why it matters: the parks master plan will guide park types, locations and amenities for future development and help the city prioritize investments; the student studio provides near-term public outreach support and preliminary recommendations that may inform the formal update.