BY JAMES T. NORMAN
In their own words
have is not secured enough in terms of a police presence, which he said he feels drives people away from using the parks. “I think League City is woefully underparked for the growth,” he said. “We just don’t have enough.” Meanwhile, Llanes said she is “frustrated” with registering for the city’s youth programs, saying she believes the city should open more teams and opportunities to register.
Many from outside the city also travel to use the area’s parks and facilities. Friendswood resident Steve Brown visits Lynn Gripon Park at Countryside with his dog due to the park’s shading. This was enhanced with new trees that were planted last year, he said. League City resident John Hancock said he goes to Dudney Clear Creek Nature Center “almost every day.” He said he doesn’t feel the city has enough park space, and the space it does
“Unless you are ready to register for your kids’ sport at exactly the
second it goes online … then you’re placed on a waiting list.” HEATHER LLANES, LEAGUE CITY RESIDENT
League City nature offerings
The impact
23% of League City residents live within 10-minute walk of park
Looking ahead
Benefits to being outside in nature and at parks are wide-ranging, including mental health, stress levels, eye health, sleep and cardiovascular health, among other benefits, Gushanas said, citing multi- ple studies from across the world. One such example comes from a 2019 study out of Denmark that involved over 900,000 people. The study, shared and cited by Gushanas, found that children who had what the study called “the lowest levels of green space” available to them had a 55% higher chance to develop a psychiatric disorder. Even for those who don’t have access to parks or nature centers, Gushanas said there are still ways to bring nature inside. Studies and information on the best way to spend time outdoors still varies, she said. She recommended about two hours per week outside, regardless of the activity. “It’s less about what you’re doing and more about that you’re getting out there,” Gushanas said.
15 parks in League City
Among developments slated for 2025, the $30-$40 million new Bay Colony Park is set to start work and wrap up in a year or two. Once done, it will consist of more than 100 acres on the west side of the city off Calder Drive, city documents show. As the west side is being developed, Wei said his goal is to have 15 acres of park for every 1,000 future residents in that part of town. That will rely on securing land from incoming developments, Wei said. “We haven’t gotten much more land for parks since I took over in 2006,” Wei said. “At some point if we don’t acquire more [land], that standard of number of acres of park will continue to diminish.”
41%+ increase in park operation and recreation budget from 2021-2025
$30M+ park planned on west side
Easy ways to engage with nature
Adding house plants
Stepping outside and taking in sunlight
Meditating and thinking about nature
Building a garden, even on a window sill
SOURCES: LEAGUE CITY, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH, TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND/COMMUNITY IMPACT
When you mention this Community Impact ad. Expires 2/20/2025 $ 500 OFF Insulation Installation FREE Attic & Exterior Inspection When you mention this Community Impact ad. Expires 2/20/2025 UP TO
Attic Pests? Insulation is the Solution!
you need to know about your community in 5 MINUTES
SCAN TO SAVE
Sign up to receive the
Morning Impact to your inbox. COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM�NEWSLETTER
CALL US TODAY! 281-817-1690
21
BAY AREA EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook