GROVES — A group of people in Groves are taking a close look at city parks for future improvements.

“Our initial thoughts are that Groves has some valuable park resources and that there is potential for improvement that would increase citizen awareness and utilization of those resources,” Councilmember and committee chairman Jim Rasa said.

The committee is just getting started in its mission to collect proposed changes to the parks, seek recommendations and suggestions from interested and affected parties, determine the impacts, benefits and financial feasibility and present the findings to city council, he said.

City Manager D. Sosa, who is a member of the committee, said he is impressed with the group’s work and that they are receiving a lot of positive input.

“People are getting on Facebook and contacting committee members, asking questions, offering recommendations and opinions. Most are well thought out,” Sosa said. I think the committee will have a wealth of information to make the parks system better.”

Rasa said the group is collecting input from a parks committee Facebook page created by member Chris Crain and they are in the process of adding a link to the city’s website that will allow citizens to contact the committee with comments and suggestions via email.

Changes to the city parks began about a decade ago when voters approved the sale of portions of Lindenmeyer Park. Plots of land have been sold since then to adjacent businesses in the area of 32^nd Street and Texas 73. Then hurricanes knocked out some of the park equipment and two lighted softball fields.

By law the city must find land to replace the lost park land but isn’t required to replace exactly what was lost.

The city will also see a boost in recreational possibilities with the Huntsman Recreation Complex, a 32-acre plot of land that will host baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, youth football fields, children’s play area, walking track and concession stand and restrooms.

The city will provide water and sewer services to the fields as well as working to add a right turning lane from Hogaboom to Twin City Highway.

The recreation complex will be adjacent to the Gulf Coast Youth Soccer Fields that are also undergoing improvements.

The recently formed Groves Parks Committee consists of five members that include Councilmember and chairman Jim Rasa, City Manager D. Sosa, Groves Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Center Executive Director Ronnie Boneau, Frank Arnaud, Chris Crain, Spikes Sturdivant and Mike Mobley.

So far the group has met three times and during one visit there was a walk-through of Memorial, Little Wesgroves, Big Wesgroves and Lion’s parks, Rasa said.

Mary Meaux: 409-721-2429

Twitter: @MaryMeauxPANews