Lonestar Legacy Park; Hulen Park one of eight Texas parks recognized this year

Apr. 18—Hulen Park received high marks, which were announced during Tuesday's Cleburne City Council meeting.

"It's a huge recognition and I'm excited to be here tonight to present this award," Texas Recreation and Park Society President Erin Hart told council members.

Hart was on hand to award her organization's Lonestar Legacy Park Recognition Award to Hulen Park. Hulen is one of eight Texas parks so recognized this year.

"A Lone Star Legacy Park is a park that holds special prominence in a local community and the entire state of Texas," Hart said. "To qualify for consideration, a park must have endured the test of time and become iconic to those who have visited, played and rested on its grounds.

"Parks must also be a minimum of 50 years of age. Hulen Park is the first of Cleburne's parks and, after 88 years, is still its most frequented."

Hart said the coexistence of historic park elements such as Engine No. 3417 along with newer amenities such as Splash Station played into the decision to honor the park.

"Hulen Park continues to evolve along with the growing city of Cleburne and remains one of the city's primary gathering places," Hart said. "The park allows local residents and visitors alike the opportunity to enjoy athletics, special events, a playground, a trout-stocked creek, a beloved antique steam engine and simply the great outdoors. It's variety of activities make this park a source of great community pride."

This marks Cleburne's first award from the Texas Recreation and Park Society, Hart said.

Cain thanked Hart and added that the park also played a role in the history of the Cleburne Railroaders' baseball team.

"Being that Texas is the best state in the nation and Cleburne is the best city in Texas I think that means Hulen Park is the best park in the world and we're so very proud of that and our parks department are working on ideas and projects to make it even better in the coming years."

Council members joined Cleburne Police Chief Rob Severance in congratulating Cleburne Police Department Dispatch supervisors Holly Bicknell and Valerie Hughes.

Earlier this month both were awarded the North Central Texas Emergency Communications District's 911 Supervisor of the Year award. The recognitions mark the first time the North Central Texas Emergency Communications District, also known as NCT9-1-1, has announced two winners in one category and the first time CPD has received the award.

Bicknell and Hughes, among other things, logged more than 400 hours of overtime last year to ensure that calls continued to be answered throughout the COVID-19 pandemic

The award is all the more prestigious, Severance said, because those nominated are selected by the their colleagues across the region.

NCT9-1-1 oversees more than 40 Public Safety Answering Points in 13 counties surrounding the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The organization serves a population of 1.7 million residents covering an area of more than 10,000 square miles.

"This is a very well deserved award to both of you because of the poise you exhibit in the middle of chaos," Cain said. "If you've ever had a chance to sit and watch what dispatchers deal with on a day-to-day basis, it is remarkable."