The city of West University Place invites the community to participate in a Town Hall meeting on April 6, 2017 at 6:30pm in the Community Building Auditorium, 6104 Auden St. Citizens will have an opportunity to review and comment on three conceptual designs for the property located at 6446 Sewanee Ave., which was donated through the generous bequest of longtime West University Place resident Mr. James M. Hughes. In 2016, The city received a 15,000 square foot residential property and $200,000 to be used specifically for the design and development of a “quiet park” to be named in honor of Mr. Hughes’ mother.
The Estate desires that the park not include structured play equipment, but that the incorporation of more natural features such as, a hill and/or water feature would be aesthetically pleasing and provide interactive play opportunities for children, are within the spirit of what Mr. Hughes intended. Inclusion of a gazebo, benches and a picnic table are also within the spirit of what was intended. The Hughes Estate Executor will have the opportunity to review and approve the final park rendition.
Design Process
White Oak Studio was selected for the schematic design phase of the project. White Oak Studio led 2015 Parks and Open Space Master Planning process, which identified the area between Buffalo Speedway and Edloe/Poor Farm Ditch as the largest section of the city without a park within a 1/2 mile effective walking radius of residents. The location of Jennie Elizabeth Hughes Park fulfills the identified need.
City Council appointed a 19 member Jennie Elizabeth Hughes Park Citizens Task Force comprised of several park neighbors, Parks Board, Friends Board and Senior Board representatives, a Hughes family representative and a City Council liaison to form a development recommendation for Council. Three Task Force meetings have been held to date. The Task Force meeting notes and additional information are available on the Jennie Elizabeth Hughes webpage at www.westutx.gov/jehpark . If you have questions or would like to receive regular project updates, please provide the Parks and Recreation Department with your e-mail address at myparks@westutx.gov or phone Parks and Recreation Director Susan White at 713.662.5894.