At the December 5 city council meeting, Director of Wimberley’s Parks and Recreation Department Richard Shaver presented the annual report for the 2024 fiscal year. The report outlined PARD’s impressive gains in earnings, programs and operations. The department increased its revenue from $765,983 to $966,755 in 2024. In 2022, revenues were as low as $500,165. The Community Center alone more than doubled their revenue in 2024 from $35,000 in 2023 to $80,000.
Other highlights from 2023 to 2024 include the completion of the Wimberley Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Master Plan, the passing of the Parkland Dedication Ordinance, a record high Blue Hole swim season attendance of 66,000 and a record attendance at Parks and Rec programs. The department also collected more than $410,000 in grants, sponsorships, and donations. In 2023 Wimberley was named the Dark Sky Place of the Year and gained Trip Advisor’s Travelers Choice designation.
In terms of park maintenance and operations, the department installed a new shade structure at the Oak Park Welcome Center and spent $360,000 to repair and upgrade Blue Hole Regional Park’s trails to Americans with Disabilities Act standards. An ADA ramp to the park’s main office entrance was also added. In addition to the ramp, the rainwater irrigation system at the main office was repaired and expanded and a parking structure for department vehicles and utility vehicles was built. New and updated rule signs were installed at all Blue Hole facilities and healthy snack vending machines were added at Blue Hole and the community center. To improve safety at the soccer fields an Automated External Defibrillator, or AED, was established.
Technology improvements to the community center included a new sound system, bluetooth microphones, a new projector and screen, an ADA-compliant door opener and a digital advertisement board in the center’s lobby.
Ten thousand people attended their programs, over 2,000 more from the previous year. Several of their new programs included a six-week Sustainability Workshop and adult sport leagues for sand volleyball, cornhole, dodgeball and softball.
The Parks and Rec department manages seven Wimberley parks and 150 acres of parkland. Not only do they create and manage the swim season at Blue Hole, they manage the community center and its programs as well as park rentals. In 2024 they hosted 650 weddings and private events, and partnered with more than 80 different organizations. The department has a full-time staff of seven, a part-time staff of 32 and the assistance of 120 volunteers.
In addition to Director Shaver, the department’s managers include Bryce Burkhalter, Natural Resource and Maintenance Manager; Rachel Littleton, Recreation Manager; Erica Flocke, Operations Manager; and Samantha Engemoen, Community Center Manager.
They are guided by a Parks and Recreation Board. Current members are Leah Cuddeback, Chair; Lori Olsen, Vice-Chair; Anthony Derringer, Secretary; and Amy Crowell, Lee Ann Linam, Lin Weber and Rachel Buchanan.
