FY 2014 Popular Annual Financial Report FY 2014 Popular Annual Financial Report | Page 15
Drop Out
Prevention
improvements to water supply and
sewer lines and it now connects
to the existing trail spine that runs
through Kelley and Rush Creek
Linear parks. The 15-acre park
also gained a new hike and bike
trail that circles the park. Security
lighting on the trail, fully-renovated
playground, drinking fountain,
benches, trail improvements and
the new exercise equipment were
funded through the 2008 Bond
Election.
Ecofest Arlington, a free,
family-oriented event that helps
build a sense of community,
stimulate environmental
awareness and
promote stewardship
across North Texas,
posted another
successful year.
More than 40
vendors showcased
green products
and services,
while classes and
demonstrations
on environmental
awareness were
staged throughout
the day. The event
od Truck
Fest
was promoted through a series
of videos featuring the Parks and
Recreation’s mascot, EcoMan,
an “everyday citizen” character
created to champion conserving
energy, reducing waste and
encouraging environmentally
conscious habits. The new super
hero was featured on Arlington
water bill inserts and used for
interdepartmental promotions.
The department also created
downloadable comic activity
sheets and coloring pages.
Ecofest
Revitalization Projects Give Back to the Community
Arlington was awarded
with the John A. Sasso National
Community Development Week
Award for effective and innovative
use of federal Community
Development Block Grant funds.
A current block grant project in
the City is the newly renovated
Arlington ISD Dropout Prevention
and Educational Center. What
once was a vacant, substandard
building has been transformed
into a state-of-the-art learning
facility that has helped more than
600 low-income youth and adult
students receive credit recovery
during the daytime, after school
and in the summer. Early childhood
programming and tutoring are
provided as well.
City workers embarked on
two major drainage projects in
2014 that will improve safety and
reduce flooding. The $5-million
McKinney Street drainage project
replaced culverts under Randol
Mill Road. The $3.6-million Arbrook
Boulevard project from Bowen
Road to Melear Drive removed the
existing culvert and installed three
new culverts. The water and sewer
lines were replaced as well. Crews
also rebuilt the road and provided
a sidewalk to cross the creek.
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