Page 26 - FY 2025 Adopted Operating Budget and Business Plan

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The City of Arlington Parks and Recreation Department (APRD) is dedicated to its mission of providing quality
facilities and services that are responsive to a diverse community and sustained with a focus on partnerships, innovation, and
environmental leadership.

APRD oversees a diverse range of programs, projects and services with one
thing in common: people. We work with the community to create and operate
beautiful, accessible public spaces and facilities for all to enjoy. We also
produce programs and events that enrich the lives of community members –
culturally, socially, and physically.

With more than 4,700 acres of parks, recreation facilities, open spaces, natural
trails, and playgrounds, there are many opportunities for open play and
exercise in Arlington – The American Dream City.

Current major capital projects in the parks system include the completion of ACTIV (anticipated opening in winter 2024); phase
II development of Richard Simpson Park; completion of Rotary Dream Park; redevelopment of Senter Park into All Star Legacy
Park in partnership with Major League Baseball, the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation and the Optimist Club of Arlington;
Arlington Tennis Center clubhouse renovations; and realignment of trail
sections at River Legacy Park due to erosion, as well as connecting the
west end of River Legacy to Fort Worth's Trinity Trail system. These capital
projects align with the City Council priorities to Champion Great
Neighborhoods and Support Our Youth and Families.

Texas Rangers Golf Club again played host to the Veritex Bank
Championship in 2024, welcoming some of the best golfers in the world to
Arlington for the Korn Ferry Tour event.

The department continues its 100th anniversary celebration in honor of
Meadowbrook Park that opened in 1924. The centennial celebration also includes the construction of an all-inclusive destination
playground as part of phase I of the park’s 2023 master plan. The playground is tentatively scheduled to open in fall 2024.

Animal Services’ award-winning team encourages responsible pet ownership and provides for the
humane care of stray and unwanted animals. Programs offered include animal care operations, pet
adoptions, pet licensing, field enforcement services, bite/dangerous animal investigations and a
veterinary clinic that provides health, and sterilization/vaccination services.

In FY 2024, Animal Services partnered with the IT department to leverage technology by redesigning
the GIS Home Finder Map to reunite animals with their owners. This innovative redesign allows
officers to search and set search areas for descriptions of animals that have been found to return
them quickly and efficiently to their owners. This enhancement resulted in an increase of nearly 200
lost pets reunited to their owners.

Furthermore, Animal Services partnered with Best Friends Animal Society to host a Community Cat
Workshop and Roundtable with local rescue organizations and animal shelters to discuss barriers to
community cat programs in DFW as well as develop a collaboration team for a coalition to help spread responsible pet ownership
and help get pets adopted and placed in forever homes.

Planning and Development Services strives to make Arlington a premier City by engaging in visionary planning, building
vibrant neighborhoods, and serving our residents, businesses, and visitors. Customer service is the core focus of this
department. Since the launch of the in-person One Start Development Center and the AMANDA permitting software in 2006,
the Planning and Development Services department has continuously enhanced customer service via innovative process
improvement. This past year, the department implemented live chat on the ArlingtonPermits.com public portal. The One Start
Center assists homeowners, business owners, and the development community with the permitting process and includes

FY 2025 Adopted Budget and Business Plan 17 City of Arlington, Texas