Issue 13 | December 2025 Celebrating g rowth, teamw ork, and all the good stuff in between.
A Grapevine Parks & Recreation Employee Newsletter
Closing out the year with gratitude as we celebrate the standout achievements and inspiring individuals who make our department shine!
In This Issue… 4 2 EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
This year’s Employee of the Year goes above and beyond for our community. See what makes this teammate exceptional.
4 EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT 5 AWARDS 10 DIVISION FEATURE 11 HIGH FIVES & KIND WORDS
13 MILESTONES
THAT MATTER
16 TEAMWORK & TRIUMPHS
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Welcome As we kick off the winter season and wrap up an incredible year, Grapevine Parks & Recreation is energized and proud to celebrate the people who bring our mission to life every day. Our mission is to enrich lives, strengthen community, and create unforgettable experiences and this shines bright throughout our department. From the unwavering dedication highlighted in the Heart of Service Award, to the creativity and initiative honored with the Bravo Award, to the outstanding leadership represented by our Employee of the Year, these teammates embody our vision to empower citizens to learn, discover, and live life to the fullest and build a stronger community together. Thank you for continuing to show up for our community and for one another. Your commitment is what keeps our mission thriving and our vision growing stronger each season!
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Eden Hernandez, Landscape Foreman
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Employee of The Year “Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day-in and day-out.”
Eden Hernandez has been with the City of Grapevine since 2020 and joined the Parks & Recreation Department in 2024. He takes great pride in the values of hard work, family, and community, values that are evident in his daily contributions. Eden consistently stands out as a knowledgeable, dependable team member who is always willing to go the extra mile to get the job done.
Robert Collier
His positive attitude and approachable nature make a lasting impression on both colleagues and the community he serves. Eden meets every challenge with enthusiasm, approaches each task with care and professionalism, and brings a strong sense of teamwork to everything he does. His commitment to excellence and support of those around him truly exemplify what it means to be an outstanding employee and an exceptional ambassador for the City of Grapevine. Reflecting on his experience, Eden shared, “What I appreciate most about working for PARD is the incredible team. The energy and dedication of everyone here makes it the best job thus far.” He also noted that his greatest accomplishment has been earning the trust of his colleagues and being a reliable leader when it counts, qualities that are evident in his work every day!
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Employee Spotlight Michael jordan
Park Maintenance Technician Meet, Michael Jordan, our Park Maintenance technician, who brings a hands-on passion for building, creating, and tackling fast-paced challenges to our Park Maintenance team. When he’s not keeping Grapevine’s parks in top shape, you’ll likely find him fishing, woodworking, or enjoying a good football game or dirt track race. Michael is excited for new challenges and opportunities here at Grapevine Parks and Recreation!
Fun Fact: Michael’s youngest daughter is only eight months older than his oldest granddaughter, family stories don’t get more memorable than that!
Katelyn Ashley
Outdoor Programs Coordinator Introducing Katelyn Ashley, the Outdoor Programs Coordinator for Lake Parks! With seven years of experience at the City of Grapevine, Katelyn’s passion and energy are evident in every aspect of her work. A proud dog mom to Bama, she enjoys reading and rewatching Gossip Girl during her free time. Driven by the people she meets, Katelyn excels at fostering connections and building lasting relationships through the outdoor programs she supports with her team.
Fun Fact: Katelyn is a Certified Dental Assistant! 4
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BRIGHT MOMENTS & BIG SMILES: Highlights from Our Awards Luncheon
Grapevine Parks & Recreation Bravo Award Recipiant Matthew McGiboney, Parks Foreman Matthew joined the Parks & Recreation team in 2015 as an Equipment Operator and has since been promoted to Parks Foreman. He has made a lasting impact through his vision, initiative, and dedication. Known for his forward-thinking approach and big plans for various projects, Matthew consistently anticipates challenges and begins problem-solving well before issues arise. With extensive experience in welding and maintenance, combined with the discipline and leadership skills developed through his military service, Matthew brings a rare blend of technical expertise and creativity that elevates the quality of our work. Whether addressing complex issues behind the scenes or refining details that often go unnoticed, he approaches every task with care, precision, and a quiet determination to improve our organization. What truly sets Matthew apart is not only his skill, but his character. He never seeks recognition, yet his contributions are often the key to a project’s success. Reflecting on his work, Matthew shared, “I enjoy working outdoors and I love seeing and being involved in making others’ plans and ideas manifest in three-dimensional space, and improving the community’s opportunities and experiences to get out and enjoy the outdoors.” Dependable, prepared, and committed to follow-through, he consistently strengthens both our projects and our team. His reliability and commitment to excellence embody the true spirit of the Bravo Award! 5
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Grapevine Parks & Recreation Bravo Award Recipiant Ana Rodenas, Membership Coordinator Ana joined the Grapevine Parks & Recreation family in 2024 and has quickly made a meaningful and lasting impact. Known for her positive attitude and willingness to help others, she brings energy, professionalism, and dedication to everything she does. Over the past year, Ana has truly made the Membership Coordinator position her own through creativity, organization, and a strong commitment to excellence. Her leadership is evident in her work coordinating monthly part-time staff meetings, managing scheduling and hiring, and developing various engaging incentive programs. Ana’s passion for professional growth and meaningful impact extends beyond her daily responsibilities. As she begins her doctoral studies in Health, Leisure, and Human Performance at OSU, she remains deeply committed to ensuring her work continues to benefit the department and the community. “My goal is to continue conducting research that directly benefits and informs the work of the Grapevine Parks & Recreation Department,” Ana shared. “Long-term projects such as the development of the employee handbook and research into membership models at comparable facilities represent work I am particularly proud of. Moving forward, I hope to expand research initiatives that support populations most in need and further strengthen our community impact.” Ana’s reliability, care for her team, and commitment to excellence exemplify the qualities the Bravo Award was created to recognize. She is truly deserving of this honor.
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BRIGHT MOMENTS & BIG SMILES: HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR AWARDS LUNCHEON Grapevine Parks & Recreation Heart of Service Award Recipiant Shannon Paterson, Aquatics Coordinator Shannon joined the Grapevine Parks & Recreation team in 2023 and has since become a respected and compassionate leader within the organization. Her military background has shaped her into a strong, dependable leader, while her genuine care for others defines the way she serves both her team and the community. Shannon consistently demonstrates kindness, dedication, and an unwavering willingness to support those around her. She is deeply committed to ensuring the safety of our guests and to training her staff to be confident, capable, and caring in their roles. In Aquatics, Shannon ensures the safety and prepardness of her lifeguard team, which has contributed to Grapevine’s pools being among the safest in the area. Her leadership during major events like Prehistoric Plunge further reflects her commitment to safety and community engagement. Beyond her role at the REC, Shannon’s dedication to service extends to her proud service to our country. Her integrity, professionalism, and selflessness make her an inspiration to colleagues and patrons alike. Known for her calm demeanor under pressure, willingness to assist other departments, and consistently positive attitude, Shannon is a trusted colleague and invaluable team player. Through her daily actions, Shannon truly embodies the Heart of Service Award!
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Grapevine Parks & Recreation Heart of Service Award Recipiant Stephen Merritt, Skilled Tech 1 (Athletics) Stephen joined the Parks and Recreation Department in 2024 and has quickly proven himself to be a true team player. Dependable and consistently willing to step up, he has played an important role in supporting Athletics operations and numerous community events. No matter the task, or even the hour, Stephen maintains a positive attitude and can always be counted on to contribute where he is needed most. Stephen brings thoughtful insight to every project he is involved in and approaches his work in a way that inspires those around him to match his strong work ethic. Over the past year, Stephen has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to teamwork. Whether standing in the rain during the July 4th celebration or assisting with the installation of holiday décor for the Christmas season, he steps up without hesitation and consistently bringing enthusiasm and reliability to each responsibility. In describing his experience with the Parks & Rec Department, Stephen shared, “Everyone above and below has made my success personal. I feel as though I cannot fail here, the mission has been clearly stated, and what’s needed for mission success, from the lake to the dirt, has been provided to me and my team. I’ve always believed that you cannot lead people you don’t love, and the love flows thick in Grapevine.” Stephen’s dependability and commitment to getting the job done right makes him an invaluable member of the team and a deserving recipient of the Heart of Service Award. 8
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Division Feature
What is
Park Maintenance: Construction Division
up to?
The Park Maintenance - Construction Division plays a key role in maintaining the safety, appearance, and functionality of Grapevine’s parks, playgrounds, and trail system. Led by Matthew McGiboney, the team includes equipment operators, irrigators, landscapers, construction specialists, metal fabricators, carpenters, and problem solvers who bring a wide range of skills to every project. Their primary responsibilities include daily park maintenance, safety oversight, and the construction of new amenities and facilities. The team regularly responds to public and internal requests while managing countless park features, such as signage, fencing, and infrastructure that enhance the park experience but often go unnoticed. They are especially proud of projects like the Bark Park, Bear Creek improvements, the Vineyards Campground entrance, and the replacement of the Banyan, Pickering, and Austin Oaks playgrounds. Since August, a four-person construction crew completed the replacement of three playgrounds, added ADA sidewalks, improved drainage and landscaping, prepared Casey’s Clubhouse for new turf, and installed nearly 1,800 feet of fencing with stone columns at Meadowmere Soccer. Looking ahead, the division is focused on seasonal maintenance through winter with major construction projects resuming in spring and summer. Through collaboration, efficiency, and craftsmanship, the Park Maintenance - Construction Division supports all areas of the department while advancing the mission of enhancing quality of life and creating safe, beautiful spaces for the Grapevine community.
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High Fives & Kind Words “Wow!!! Thank you to the Parks Maintenance Team! The new boulders that were placed at Parr Park Trail look amazing and keeps the aesthetics looking wonderful!! What a great solution! I appreciate you and your efforts in helping keep our parks safe for everyone. -Citizen Email
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“Club All Access wants to give a huge
shout-out to the awesome Lake Parks Team - Morgan, Taylor, and Katelyn! We had such a blast at PumpkinFest at Meadowmere. Thanks for making it such a fun and
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memorable day! -Club All-Access Team
“I just wanted to reach out and let you know how “Thanks to the Park Maintenance team
for all the work they are doing on Banyan Park. The park always looks great and we are very appreciative for all of the time, work, and attention that goes into that area.
” -Citizen Call
much I love the Bark Park. I’m genuinely impressed by the amenities, the fact that Grapevine had a piece of land available for something like this, and all the thought and intention that clearly went into creating a space for our dogs. It’s so well maintained, and I honestly have nothing but praise to share. I’m just calling to say thank you. I
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love it, and my dogs absolutely do too. -Citizen Call
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“My master’s work (Clinical Mental Health Counseling) requires 100 hours of direct
“Huge shout-out and congratulations to
Taylor, Katelyn, Jeff & James for a successful
client contact in a short period of time. I just
Pumpkinfest! All three weekends were
completed those hours and absolutely could
a great success due to their efforts and
not have done it without the support of
skill in creating prime photo ops and an
Arianna, Brooke, Stephen and Kristen. They
environment full of fall fun! Also -- Huge
allowed me flexibility, stepped in, subbed, and
thank you to Dan, Michael, and Rey for their
cheered me on. I want to thank Kathy too. I
assistance in set up! We couldn’t have done
began this journey while working for her and
it without them! -Morgan
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appreciate her encouragement and support. After 6 years my efforts are going to finally come to fruition, I could not have done it without everyone’s support. A dream fulfilled is
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a tree of life! -Cindy
“Hi Everyone! This event was truly a
monumental moment one that created a safe haven for our families. The love, encouragement, and support you poured into every detail made a lasting impact. I
“Shout-out to Ana for completing our
couldn’t have done it without Heather, her
Part Time Staff Handbook! This will
passion, dedication, and beautiful energy
help keep our staff aligned, prepared,
took the lead and inspired everyone around
and accountable for our standards in
her.Your aquatics team went above and
Grapevine. - Mariah
beyond by pouring so much love, courage,
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and support into our families. Our families were so appreciative, and you could see
“We registered our son for the 5 pm private
the joy and relief this experience brought
instructor Danielle, has been absolutely
and inclusion will continue to bless them
swimming lessons this month, and his
wonderful! Our son is usually very shy and tends to cry in new environments or with new teachers, but Danielle was able to calm him down fairly quickly. Now he’s genuinely enjoying his lessons, which we’re so gratefule
”
for. - Swim Lesson Parent
to them. The ripple effect of acceptance far beyond this day. “It was definitely a fun time for all.” Thank you all again for bring this vision to life, you all brought a piece and made it complete I’m looking forward to partnering with you all again to continue (SuperMomInfinity)
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this incredible work together. -Holly Ware
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Congratulation to Cindy, who graduated with her Masters in Clinical Mental Health
Congratulations to the Solis Family who is expecting the arrival of their son, Josiah Robert Solis, this month!
Congratulations Jonas, who was promoted as our Senior Crew Leader for the Park Maintenance Division! 13
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Congratulaiton to Matthew! Matthew passed his Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification through the National Recreation and Parks Association.
Celebrating milestones and life events.
Congratulation to the Wolfard Family on the birth of Campbell Luke Wolfard, born November 19!
Welcome Mayra, our new Reservations Supervisor on the Events Team!
Congratulations to Kristen, who was promoted as our new Recreation Coordinator in the Hospitality Division! 14
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Celebrating Years of Service Welcome Roberto, our new Irrigation Tech II, who started with the Parks Maintenance, Irrigation Division!
Congratulation to the Boner Family on the birth of Bryce Newton Boner, born August 26!
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Phuong Le - 14 years Stephen Chevier - 12 years Morgan Denny - 9 years Blake Benavides - 7 years Hayden Garner - 6 years Eden Hernandez - 5 years Bryan Hamlin - 5 years Nathalie Mason - 5 years Doug Seale - 4 years Zane Boldt - 3 years Andrew Yuhanna - 2 years Rey Rodriguez - 2 years Shannon Paterson - 2 years Matt Criner - 2 years Hayden Boner - 1 year Stephen Merritt - 1 year
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Teamwork & Triumphs
Grapevine Parks and Recreation proudly brought home several top honors at this year’s North Texas TRAPS (Texas Recreation and Parks Society) Conference, showcasing the innovation, passion, and commitment that define our team!
Design Excellence Award Settlers Park Grapevine Parks and Recreation was honored with the Design Excellence Award for the outstanding work on Settlers Park. This recognition highlights the thoughtful planning and creativity that went into transforming the space into a vibrant, accessible, and community-focused destination. The project reflects our department’s dedication to designing parks that inspire connection, support wellness, and enhance quality of life for residents.
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Recreation Professional of the Year Emily Marecle, Aquatic Supervisor We are proud to celebrate Emily, who was named Recreation Professional of the Year! Emily’s leadership, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact on our aquatics operations. From elevating staff training to strengthening safety standards and guest experience, Emily consistently goes above and beyond. This award reflects not only her accomplishments, but also the positive culture she helps foster within our team.
Excellence in Programming Prehistoric Plunge The Aquatics team received the Excellence in Programming Award for the highly successful Prehistoric Plunge event! This innovative program stood out for its creativity, strong community engagement, and memorable experience for participants of all ages. The award recognizes our team’s continued ability to design and deliver exciting, meaningful programs that bring families together and showcase the best of what Grapevine Parks and Recreation has to offer.
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