We need your YES vote for Prop C on Nov 7th

Hi Neighbors, 

As this issue is directly relevant to the success of our park I hope that you will consider voting FOR Prop C. 

Early voting is Oct 23- Nov 3. 

Below is the language on the sample ballot, a statement from the Sierra club, and a link to the CoH website with all the propositions detailed. Proposition C is to be funded by city bonds and will not require a tax increase. 

Below is the language used for Proposition C found on the sample ballot at http://www.harrisvotes.com/SampleBallot/SampleBallot.pdf

“The issuance of $104,000,000 park improvement bonds for the conservation, improvement, acquisition, construction, and equipment of neighborhood parks, recreational facilities, and bayous, including such green spaces along all bayous to create an integrated system of bayou walking, running, and bicycle trails to enhance, preserve, and protect the health of citizens, water quality, natural habitat, and native wildlife and the levying of taxes sufficient for the payment thereof and interest thereon.”

http://www.sierraclub.org/texas/houston/blog/2017/10/city-houston-proposition-c-parks-bond-ballot-november-7-2017

http://www.houstontx.gov/2017election.html

Game on!! See you there!

Park Potluck Rescheduled

Rain, rain go away!

Given the forecast, we are going to reschedule for NEXT Tuesday, Oct 10, 5:30- 7:30.

I'm sorry for any inconvenience this causes.

I look forward to seeing you then.

Best,

Alex

A Summer Update on the Wagner Greenspace

We hope you have had a good Summer so far. As we endure the August heat we want share some exciting updates that happened over the Summer on the Wagner Greenspace.

Latest Updates

Below are some of the recent things we have achieved: 

• Friends of Wagner Greenspace is partnering with Houston Parks Board (click here for more information about partnering with HPB)

• Wagner Park Signs installed

• Regular Mowing on a regular cycle

• Anticipation of two benches and marked tree removal/trimming.

Please feel free to email HPARD and make your appreciation known to the new director Steve Wright: steve.wright@houstontx.gov

Fundraising & How You can Donate

The first step to develop the land with HPARD is to raise $15,000 for a master plan. The master plan will incorporate input from our community in order to define a high level vision for the space. 

Please consider making a donation to progress the goal of a Master Park Plan. 

• Donations can be made to Houston Park Board and directed for the "Wagner Greenspace" via our web page with the Parks Board
• Click here and choose Wagner Greenspace from dropdown list to make an online donation.
• You can also always navigate or direct others to our Donate Page

Reaching our Fundraising Goal

I know what your thinking...$15K sound like a lot of money...but we believe it is an achievable goal in the next 1-2 years. While Friends of Wagner Greenspace works on planning the initial fundraising events there are some ways we can start raising money now:

• Neighborhood Donations: Approximately 100 house holds are in the area adjacent to the Wagner Greenspace.

• If each household donates $50, we would raise $5000 in one year (1/3 of our initial goal)

• If each household donates between $50 & $150 dollars, we could raise between $5000 and $15,000 (our goal) in one year.

• Thinking outside the Neighborhood: If each household forwarded the donation link to family, friends, or coworkers interested in supporting our cause we could raise much more.

• Company Donation Matching: If your company matches donations and you make a donation via their matching program we could maximize donations.

What Happens After reaching the Master Plan Fundraising Goal?

Once we reach the $15K goal to develop a master plan the Friends of Wagner Greenspace will work with Houston Parks Board to engage an architecture firm to develop the Master Plan. At this point community ideas for the space will be critical so that the can be incorporated into the design.

Additionally, with an HPARD approved Master Plan in hand the Friends of Wagner Greenspace will be able to approach larger businesses for donations for the next phases: Detailed Plans through Build.

If you have any questions about donating please contact us at FriendsofWagnerGreenspace@gmail.com

And We'll Leave You with a Few Photos...

 

Trash and Trees and Level Ground (oh my!)

We have some exciting updates on ongoing improvements to our park.

Previously when you walked on parts of our park you never knew what you were going to find...old rusted saw blades, broken glass, chunks of concrete, snarling vines...but all of that is changing!

Wizard of Oz

The land that is Wagner Greenspace is slowly becoming a respectable space everyone can use safely and comfortably.

The last few weeks have brought exciting changes and updates:

Community Cleanup

The Community Clean-up on April 29 made a significant dent in the debris and vines that were cluttering our park. You may not have thought there was much junk out there, but take a look at these pictures to see just some of what we picked up. A big thank you to everyone who came out.

Digging up concrete and sheet metal

One of our piles of trash

HPARD front loader collecting trash

 Check out more pictures on our Instagram.

HPARD Improvements

Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) has indicated they will take care of some of the bigger issues.  Although there is no exact timeline for this, we suspect it will be fairly soon.

1. Remove the dead trees and trim the overgrown trees 
2. Level the land where there are low spots and holes.  This is particularly important as we enter mosquito season.

Trees that need maintenace

One of the low spots

Fundraising

Currently we are working with setting up an account with a non profit so that we can begin fundraising for the capital improvements in the park (think walking path, play-spaces, swings, etc).

Landscape Design

Finally we are also working on getting professional estimates and designs for developing the space. To see what we presented to the Parks Department in February as an initial idea check out our "Vision Page"

Go out and enjoy

So, while the weather is still fairly nice - grab a chair and a nice beverage and go out and enjoy the space. You no longer need to wonder about what 'strange things' are polluting the Wagner Greenspace.

Community Cleanup - April 29, 2017 from 9-11 AM

Come join us for as long as you can to work on cleaning up 

The Wagner Greenspace!

What to bring:

• Work Gloves (to protect your hands from sharp objects)
• Shovels, rake or hoes (or all of them if you have them)
• We could also use 1-2 wheelbarrows, if anyone is able to lend them for the day.
• We will be providing some type of snack and water! We will also have heavy duty trash bags.

Other information:

• Major work already done: One of our neighbor has already done a ton of work clearing vines and major debris (Thanks Grant!), but there are a bunch of little things where if we can have even 10 of us out there we could make a real difference picking them up. 
• Increase safety of using the Greenspace As-Is: If you have walked on the property you may have noticed there is debris left over from demos, including broken glass and sharp metals. This is posing a safety issue for pets and kids. I know some dog feet have been bothered by the glass/metal.
• Necessary pre-req to regrading the land: Additionally, we recently had a landscape architect (who also designed Emancipation Park) come out to look at the property to create a design. Out of that meeting we learned one of the fundamental things that needs to happen is the land needs to be regraded where there are ruts and holes. He said before re-grading the land the debris will have to be picked up. So we can get a jump start on that!

Go on. Get out there!

Well folks, we have a park. It may be a "baby" park, still a blank canvas, but it also is YOUR neighborhood park. It's in the impressionable stage of it's development and how it grows up will be determined by what the community chooses to do with it.

We also seem to hosting California weather in Texas at the moment, and you know this brief window before the summer unleashes itself on us is precious. In the words of your mom: GO OUTSIDE.

The obvious play is to make your dog happy and go for a walk to the park. But, my friends and neighbors, I am encouraging you to think bigger than that. Be creative. To that end, here are some ideas to get you out to the park.

Beginner ideas-

GAMES- One of our cool neighbors rolled up to Neighbor's Night Out with a wagon carrying a badminton set up. It was inclusive and fun. Frisbees are easy, so are soccer balls. You can get kids giggling with simple races, and the egg spoon run is always fun. If you wanna go for broke, show up with water balloons or confetti eggs and silly string.

PICNIC- It is a scientifically proven fact that food tastes better and moods improve when you eat food outside. Ok, ok, OK! I made that up. You should not trust me as source for science. But I know what I like, and what works at my house. Sure a leisurely week-end picnic is optimal, but honestly? You will be a rock star if you surprise your family on a Tuesday by saying hey, we're picking up tacos and eating at the park. You are safe trusting me on this one.

Intermediate ideas-

PARTY- I recently threw an old fashioned birthday party at the park. Cake, balloons, simple games. It was a blast. The backyard birthday party needs to be brought back into vogue, in my opinion. The money you don't spend on a venue (because NO ONE wants to go to Chuckie Cheese) can be spent on nicer food and cake. My party was for a 12 year old, but expect to see me and my friends out there in May for my birthday.

MEET UP/ TRAIL WALK- Make the park a meeting place for friends/ neighbors and start your evening/ outing there. You can serve cocktails, which of COURSE will be non-alcoholic, and then walk the awesome new trails over to the restaurants in the Heights or over on Heights Blvd.

And... an Advanced idea. Which you totally SHOULD do and invite me to.

MOVIES- So, umm... how hard would it be to rig up a sheet and projector and get a classic/family movie going in the park one evening? I'm picturing BYOB- bring your own blanket, folding chairs and a potluck style dessert table.

So, what do you think? Do you have any ideas for other ways to enjoy Wagner Greenspace? Please comment and share!

THANK YOU for a great Neighbors Night Out

Neighbors Night Out Recap

THANK YOU for making Neighbors Night Out on March 30th a fun event. We were very excited to meet everyone, eat delicious desserts and share information about the future park!

By our count we had 51 people attend (including kids).That is an amazing turnout!

If you missed it at the party, we have a survey we would love for you to fill out. It is asking basic information about what you would want in a park and how you want to get involved. Find survey at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DB76GBZ

If you missed the party but want to stay updated...

1. Follow us on Instagram
2. Like our page on Facebook
3. Let us know you want to get our newsletter by sending an email to friendsofwagnergreenspace@gmail.com and make the subject "Subscribe"
4. Keep an eye out for volunteer and fundraising opportunities here on the blog and in our newsletter

Next Steps

The next steps we are looking at to keep improving the greenspace are:

• Planning another neighborhood event (suggestions welcome)
• Setting up volunteer opportunities
• Getting "Friends of Wagner Greenspace" ready for fundraising activity
• Continuing to tidy up the greenspace

Quick Facts on the Wagner Greenspace

We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow night. It should be a fun time and there will be cookies!

Here is a preview of our fact sheet hand out tomorrow.

Also, thank you to all the wonderful volunteers that have worked so hard to make this happen: Alex, Colleen, Ellie, Carlie, Tiffany & Sarah

A Brief History

• Historically the Wagner street tracts were owned by the Gillespie family for over 60 years, from the early 1940's until the late 2000's. 
• Mildred "Mickey" Gillespie moved there in 1940 with her first husband and newborn son. She stayed in the house after the war and met her future husband James Edward "Jimmy" Gillespie at dance in the Heights. They married in 1948 and lived on the property until Jimmy's death in 2001. 
• Since 2001, the Wagner property changed hands twice and was slated for home development. With blueprints in-hand, the second buyer, a developer, was unable to get permits to build due to controversy with the city over a through-street from Honsinger to Wagner.
• After the developer backed out, the Wagner property was acquired by the Houston Parks Department (HPARD) in 2015 as a "green space", which is a park with no amenities. 
• In 2016 HPARD also purchased and demoed the lots on Honsigner, adding about 50% more square footage to the greenspace. 

Neighbors with a Purpose

In our urban environment, and with many homeowners having small to non-existent yards, there was an instant demand for the space. Dog owners, parents, and nature lovers began to realize the property was an open field and started utilizing it. We started meeting our neighbors- and becoming a community. Word spread that the "field" was city owned, but without plans or funding to improve the space. Conversations drove action and Friends of Wagner Greenspace was born. To date, we have met with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) through which we have found sponsorship and a better understanding of what it will take to make the Greenspace a multi-use park that will best serve our neighborhood. Meeting minutes are available and we would love to have you join our efforts. Contact information is on the next page

What we have learned

• Parks are a BIG, expensive endeavor. They typically cost 500K to 1M+ and they take 5- 10 years to come to fruition. 
• The good news is that activism and fundraising speed up the process and building a park can be done in phases. We hope to see Phase 1 (“Must Have’s”) executed quickly- in next 12-18 months. How soon everything can be completed is largely determined by our community efforts and our place in line on the HPARD priority list. 

The Vision

The following was Friends of Wagner Greenspace’s initial ideas for the space prioritized by Must Have (1), Should Have (2), Could Have (3). Of course a final vision will need YOUR input!

How to get Involved

• Please take a moment to fill out the survey today: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DB76GBZ
• Join the mailing list, go bookmark our blog and most importantly, introduce yourself!
• Donate for dog poop bag stands. 
• Participate in the process of fundraising and building- do you have connections/ resources/ talents you can contribute to make this a reality for our neighborhood? 

Contact Information

Email: FriendsofWagnerGreenspace@gmail.com

Blog: FriendsofWagnerGreenspace.blogspot.com

Neighbors Night Out - March 30, 2017 6-8PM

The Beginnings of a Park

City Acquires the Property through Parks and Open Space Ordinance

The journey to build our neighborhood park began at the end of 2015 and beginning of 2016 when the City of Houston purchased the property through the Park and Open Space Ordinance. According to HCAD.org, the property on Wagner was purchased effective 9/22/2015 and the properties on Honsinger were purchased effective dates 2/22/2016 & 2/29/2016. The site itself is ~ .56 acres.

This article in the Houston Chronicle provides more information about the land slated for the park.

Improvements in the Greenspace

Since the city purchased the property the following improvements have been completed:

• The houses on Honsinger were leveled in August 5, 2016. If your interested you can watch a clip of the house demo below.
• The neighborhood currently uses the Wagner space as an ad-hoc dog-park/ kiddie play space.
• 311 has been out to assess taking down the old fence separating the Wagner and Honsinger properties and it is slated to be removed in March 2017.

While this is awesome progress there are still a few things we hindering basic usability.

• The Honsinger side of the property is littered with trash and broken glass from the demo and does not have much grass coverage. Additionally dying trees and old rebar are at the back of the property
• On the Wagner side, the ground is not level and dog poop is left on the ground. It is not so fun when your toddler steps in runs up to dog poop and yells "poo poo"!
• The land could use some trashcans, benches and picnic tables to make it more usable to the community immediately for low cost. 

There is still much to be done and the Houston Parks and Recreations Department (HPARD) has said they will work on improving these basic needs in the near future.

Meeting with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department - February 2, 2017

On February 2, 2017 a small group of neighbors met with the HPARD the learnings and results of the meeting were: 

• Property was acquired through the Park and Open Space Ordinance
• HPARD can take care of our initial "must have" list (e.g. clean up land, add benches, add trashcans, add picnic table, remove the fence, etc). The timeline on when this will be completed is still TBD.
• The process to fundraise and develop a full park (e.g. playground, garden, etc)  can take 5-10 years and $500-$1 million dollars.
• We can work as a community to begin fundraising and work towards developing a park.

"Parks are Forever" - Joe Turner