• I’ve had the privilege of being actively involved in the planning, funding, and development of a successful and well-loved park for our community.

• I’ve shown resourcefulness in securing funding to support important projects that benefit our neighborhood.

• I am deeply committed to our community and have personally contributed to the park’s development, and I will continue to do so moving forward.

In the early 1990s, Anderson Mill West needed a park, and we were fortunate to have some land donated for it. Although it was a small area, it was full of beautiful oak trees and had the potential to become a great community space. As a member of the park planning committee, I was excited about the project, but our initial budget didn’t quite match the vision we had. We realized that in order to make the park a reality, we needed extra funding.

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That’s when we explored grants, particularly from the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW). The TPW grant offered a great opportunity, but there was a catch: the park had to be open to the public, not just Anderson Mill West residents. This meant a resident-only swimming pool was off the table. Despite this, the grant helped us move forward with plans for playground equipment, paths, and basic facilities like restrooms and water fountains.

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The community was involved every step of the way. We gathered input through meetings, calls, and even handwritten notes on service bills. After much back and forth, we selected a contractor, and the park slowly took shape. It wasn’t always smooth—there were budget constraints and challenges during construction—but in the end, we created a park with a playground, restroom facilities, drinking fountains and paths.Additionally, I personally planted a large patch of Confederate Jasmine, which still grows and thrives there to this day! The park officially opened and quickly became a favorite spot for families.

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Over the years, we've made improvements, like upgrading the playground equipment and adding safety features. Today, the Park at El Salido is still a vibrant part of the community, and we’re always open to ideas to keep it that way for years to come.