Editing West University Place, Texas (section)

==Parks and recreation==
[[File:WestURecCenter.JPG|thumb|West University Place Recreation Center]]
In 2018 Swartz stated that the area recreational facilities had "secure, nontoxic equipment."<ref name="SwartzTrumpShirt" /> From 1988 to 2003 the Friends of West University Place Parks Fund Inc., a volunteer board, and several West University-area businesses and residents raised $1.5 million to improve West University parks. The funds were collected to acquire additional green spaces and redevelop existing parks.<ref name="Neighbparks">"[http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2003/10/27/focus11.html Houston's neighborhood parks offer change of pace in the city]." ''[[Houston Business Journal]]''. Sunday, October 26, 2003. Retrieved on October 13, 2012.</ref>

The first West University Place Recreation Center, formerly the Southwest [[YMCA]], included a gymnasium, a swimming pool, and lighted sports fields.<ref>"[http://www.westuparks.org/wurec.htm Recreation Center]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}." ''Friends of West U Parks''. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> The City of West University had purchased the Southwest YMCA property around 2003.<ref name="Neighbparks" /> In 2008 residents approved a bond to build a new $8.8 million recreation center at a plot of land bounded by [[Bellaire Boulevard]], Community, and Westpoint.<ref>Mark, Steve. "[http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/02/10/west_university_examiner/news/wu_parksboard.txt Bad economy good news for West U Rec Center project]." ''[[West University Examiner]]''. February 5, 2009. Retrieved on January 25, 2010.</ref> The new recreation center does not have basketball courts; however, the center has a swimming pool, a weight room, a cardiovascular room, and racquetball courts. Additionally, classes such as yoga, jazzercize, and dance are offered for a fee. Russ Schulze, the chairperson of the Parks and Recreation department of West University Place, said that the city wants to construct a recreation center "for our residents, not something that will compete with nearby fitness centers or the Weekley YMCA, or to merely attract what residents outside West University want."<ref>Matusow, Cathy. "[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/02/west_u_basketball_court.php West U Doesn't Want Its Rec Center To Attract Outsiders, Maybe]." ''[[Houston Press]]''. Friday February 13, 2009. Retrieved on January 25, 2010.</ref>  Current policy denies admission to the pool or other facilities to non-residents unless physically accompanied by a resident at all times [http://www.westutx.gov/436/Recreation-Center-Membership-Pricing].

The Weekley YMCA in Houston, the current YMCA facility, includes West University Place in its service area.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lassin, Arlene Nisson|url=https://www.chron.com/news/article/FACES-IN-THE-CROWD-Weekley-YMCA-s-top-volunteer-1502909.php|title=FACES IN THE CROWD: Weekley YMCA's top volunteer is full of spirit|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2006-01-26|access-date=2020-05-04}}</ref> It opened in 1951 as the Southwest YMCA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ymcahouston.org/southwest/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010711155524/http://www.ymcahouston.org/southwest/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2001-07-11|title=Southwest YMCA|publisher=YMCA Houston|date=2001-07-11|access-date=2020-05-04}}</ref> The current facility in [[Braeswood Place]], Houston broke ground in 2001.<ref name="Stantondeathvalley">Stanton, Robert. "[http://www.chron.com/news/article/Death-Valley-coming-back-to-life-2051932.php 'Death Valley' coming back to life]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Thursday July 19, 2001. Retrieved on January 7, 2012.</ref>

Colonial Park, at 4130 Byron Street, has a park and a recreational center. The park has a playground, a picnic area, two tennis courts, a parkour course, a concrete walking path, and a pavilion.<ref>"[http://www.westuparks.org/colpark.htm Colonial Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225232700/http://www.westuparks.org/colpark.htm |date=February 25, 2008 }}." ''Friends of West U Parks''. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> By 2003 Colonial Park had been enlarged and several facilities, such as a playground, pool, and tennis courts, had been added, due to efforts from the Friends of West University Place Parks and its allies.<ref name="Neighbparks" /> On May 11, 2009, the West University Place city council approved the design of the new Colonial Park pool,<ref>Christian, Carol. "[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/bellaire/news/6421974.html West University Place City Council approves design for Colonial Park pool]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. May 13, 2009. Retrieved on May 14, 2009.</ref> which was completed in 2011.{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}} Colonial Park Pool is open May through September, while the recreational center is open year-round.

Friends Park, formerly the Rice Pocket Park, is located at 3771 Rice Boulevard. The park, the newest in the city, opened on December 11, 2007.<ref>"[http://www.westuparks.org/ricepark.htm Friends Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231618/http://www.westuparks.org/ricepark.htm |date=March 3, 2016 }}." ''Friends of West U Parks''. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> Huffington Park, located at 3901 Milton Street, has a playground, a shaded arbor, picnic tables, and game tables.<ref>"[http://www.westuparks.org/hufpark.htm Huffington Park]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}." ''Friends of West U Parks''. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> Whitt Johnson Park, at 6540 Wakeforest Street, has a playground, a gazebo, a picnic area, and a lighted basketball court.<ref>"[http://www.westuparks.org/whitpark.htm Whitt Johnson Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171243/http://www.westuparks.org/whitpark.htm |date=March 3, 2016 }}." ''Friends of West U Parks''. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> Judson Park, at 4242 South Judson Street, has a playground, a picnic area, a lighted tennis court, and a concrete walking path.<ref>"[http://www.westuparks.org/judpark.htm Judson Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230532/http://www.westuparks.org/judpark.htm |date=March 3, 2016 }}." ''Friends of West U Parks''. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> Wier Park, at 3012 Nottingham Street, has a playground, picnic tables, two lighted tennis courts, and a basketball court.<ref>"[http://www.westuparks.org/wierpark.htm Wier Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230558/http://www.westuparks.org/wierpark.htm |date=March 3, 2016 }}." ''Friends of West U Parks''. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref>

In 2002 West University's little league team was placed in the same league as the [[Bellaire, Texas|Bellaire]] team. Previously they played in separate leagues.<ref>Martin, Betty L. "[http://www.chron.com/news/article/Little-Leaguers-pit-Bellaire-and-West-University-2102854.php Little Leaguers pit Bellaire and West University neighbors]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20150923133900/http://www.chron.com/news/article/Little-Leaguers-pit-Bellaire-and-West-University-2102854.php Archive]). ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Thursday, June 20, 2002. Retrieved on September 23, 2015.</ref>