Park Plan Status as of October 27, 2020

(See FBMUD118 website under RESOURCES / DOCUMENTS / PROJECT DOCUMENTS for more information on each park project.)

The District completed numerous capital projects intended to improve the quality of life within the District and promote water conservation. These include the addition of a walking/jogging trail within Barski Park (Phase 1 & 3), a children’s splash pad area, a new playground, a pavilion, a village park playground, and a reclaimed water irrigation system to serve the community’s greenspace areas. The Board of Directors authorized the construction phase on the Jogging Trail Project Phase 2 at the August Board Meeting. Construction is anticipated to start in August 2020 be completed by Spring 2021. The Board of Directors selected a Landscape Artchitect at the August 2020 Board Meeting to evaluate the District’s park area and develop recommendations for future improvements. Information will be published to the District’s website once the evaluation is complete. The District encourages all individuals interested in the projects to review the maps provided and attend the Board of Director’s monthly meetings held at 6:00 PM on the second Tuesday of every month. For more information see the meeting agenda link on website.

FBCMUD 118 Projects
Substantial Completion Final Completion
Barski Playground 7/3/2018 8/30/2018
Splash Pad 8/31/2018 10/30/2018
Barski Pavilion 8/31/2018 8/30/2018
Jogging Trail Phase I 10/2/2018 1/2/2019
Reclaimed Water Phase I 2/9/2019 1/20/2020
Jogging Trail Phase 2 *Est. January 5, 2021 Spring 2021
Jogging Trail Phase 3 May 2020
 August 2020
Playground at Waterside Village Park 11/6/2019 11/19/2019
Irrigation System Improvements Construction Complete 1/15/2020

The district held a preliminary design meeting on Saturday October 24 to discuss the Park Plan future landscaping project. The attached document present the design option presented at that meeting. This is a preliminary document and will be updated as the design changes.

Proposed Park Design Options (PDF)

Amoeba Naegleria Fowleri

The amoeba Naegleria Fowleri is a naturally occurring fresh water single-celled organism usually found in warm water, and usually associated with diving, since infection is through the nasal cavity. A recent tragedy and drinking water distribution system contamination has brought it to light in Texas. CDC reports the risk of infection is about 1 in 70 million in its naturally occurring environment (warm water lakes and rivers). The risk of infection in disinfected drinking water is extremely low and is almost always limited to entering through the nose due to nasal rinsing.

It is not possible for infections to occur by drinking contaminated water, and the amoeba is not known to be transmissible via water vapor or droplets in the air, such as shower mist, according to the CDC. Furthermore, the infection cannot spread from person to person.

Since the recent death in Texas was possibly linked to a splash pad which uses surface water, there is a similarity with Fort Bend County MUD 118.  The best way to combat growth of the amoeba is through proper disinfection, pressure, and flushing of water in the system to keep it fresh.

The water in the FB MUD 118 splash pad is directly from the water plant/118 distribution system, is metered, has a backflow preventer, and is regularly checked for disinfection and pressure, as per TCEQ requirements.

The splash pad does not have a retention tank. It’s like turning on your faucet at your home – the water is under pressure of the distribution system. The splash pad water runs off and cannot re-enter the system. System pressure is checked daily.

The amoeba Naegleria fowleria is not included in the suite of parameters tested by TCEQ because it takes weeks to grow and identify the amoeba; and there is no established relationship between detection or concentration and the risk of infection. It is very susceptible to chlorine however.

Disinfection, proper system pressure, and regular flushing is the best deterrent. FB 118 is flushed monthly and there are roughly 36-40 disinfection checks/month (at least one/day) at one of 6 locations pre-approved by the TCEQ to be balanced throughout the district.

Additionally, for swimming pool owners, you cannot get Naegleria fowleri from a properly cleaned, maintained and chlorinated swimming pool, or a salt water pool (since Naegleria fowleri does not occur and cannot live in salt water).

Notice Regarding Playgrounds, Splash Pad and Park Equipment

Fort Bend County MUD No. 118 is continuing to monitor developments related to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic. In accordance with state and local reopening guidance, the splash pad and playgrounds will reopen on Wednesday, July 01, 2020. However, please be advised that park and playground equipment is not disinfected; use is at your own risk.  Further, the District encourages all residents to continue to follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and all local public health officials for the most up-to-date information.

Park Use Guidelines

The District appreciates your cooperation in exercising good hygiene and best practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and reduce ways the virus is transmitted. Visitors to District parks should adhere to the following guidelines.

  • Follow the CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to heading to parks – wash hands, carry hand sanitizer, do not use parks or trails and facilities if you have symptoms, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, etc.
  • Individuals should maintain 6 feet of separation from others outside the individual’s group and from homeowner fences. A group is defined as no more than 10 persons including the members of the household and those persons who traveled together to the park.
  • All District playground and splash pad equipment, picnic tables and other commonly touched surfaces are open but not disinfected; use is at your own risk.
  • Warn other park users of your presence and as you pass to allow proper distance, and step off trails and sidewalks to allow others to pass, keeping minimum recommended distances at all times. Signal your presence with your voice, bell or horn.
  • Bring water or drinks — public drinking fountains may be disabled and should not be used, even if operable.
  • Consistent with the actions taken by many individuals across the state, consider wearing cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth) when within 6 feet of another person who is not a member of the individual’s group.