The Woodlands Township is pleased to announce the addition of its 151st park, Monarch Park, located in the Village of Creekside Park at 6 Mariposa Woods Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77375.
With 151 parks and its approach used to manage a diverse parks and recreation system, The Woodlands Township was awarded the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) Gold Medal in 2019 and an Innovations in Conversation Award from the NRPA in 2020.
The park was developed as part of the Comprehensive Community Service Agreement (CCSA) between The Woodlands Township and Howard Hughes Corporation. The Township funded $93,000 for the natural habitat park that features a pond, walking trails, and specific vegetation to attract the esteemed Monarch butterfly.
Earlier this year, the National Wildlife Federation named The Woodlands Township as a Monarch Champion for its commitment to the environment, and specifically to the endangered Monarch butterfly. The Woodlands Township is the 10th community in North America to receive this designation.
The award was earned through the work of The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department, along with other community organizations, and with the commitment and leadership of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors. The Board recognized the importance of devoting resources to programs and activities related to Monarch and pollinator habitat creation/restoration. The Township also participated in the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, which supports monarch habitat and the planting of native milkweed.
“The National Wildlife Federation would like to congratulate The Woodlands Township for this important achievement, which will benefit both people and wildlife,” said Rebeca Quiñonez-Piñón, Monarch Outreach Coordinator with the National Wildlife Federation. “Our team was highly impressed by the work accomplished by The Woodlands Township during its time in the program and beyond. The Woodlands is now part of a very select group of cities and mayors throughout North America that have earned this special achievement, and we are eager to continue working for nature with this community in the future.”
The designation has been years in the making. In 2017, representatives of PolliNation, a local non-profit organization, approached the Township Board of Directors requesting assistance in having The Woodlands designated as a Monarch butterfly community.
The Woodlands Township Parks and Recreation Department also represents the first community in the Houston region to earn the NRPA Gold Award, one of the most prestigious awards in the parks and recreation profession. The Woodlands Township received the 2019 National Gold Medal Award Grand Plaque for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), awarded this honor to The Woodlands Township live during the Opening General Session at the 2019 Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. The Woodlands Township won the Grand Plaque in the Class III for populations of 75,001 – 150,000 category through months of preparation and commitment to the highest level of service.
For more information on The Woodlands Township and its programs, visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.
