Champions Club is about creating life-long memories for our members. Our incredible party packages and rentable spaces are no different.
If you’re wondering who’s working behind the scenes to ensure your birthday parties and event rentals go off without a hitch, look no further than our new Rentals Coordinator, Hayde Miranda! One of the new members of our Guest Services team, Hayde, is here to create world-class experiences for our customers.
Like many outstanding employees, Hayde is no stranger to service organizations. She has a background in the non-profit sector and most recently worked for the City of Oakland, California! Hayde believes, “Community/public service is part of who I am! I love developing programs while working with the community to provide the best services possible. I am honored to join the Southlake team and look forward to working with the community.”
A public servant at heart, Hayde has already hit the ground running. Whatever your rental needs are, she’s ready to use her creativity to help you make memorable experiences. She loves coordinating events and bringing ideas to life and cannot wait to assist our members with their rental and party needs. “There is no better feeling than bringing people together to create fun, unforgettable moments!”
Hayde is committed to meeting all your party and rental needs. When she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new eats in Texas. “If you have any good restaurant recommendations, please send them my way!”
Welcome to the team, Hayde! We’re so happy to have you. Say hi to Hayde if you’re in The Marq, and check out our rental and party packages for your next event!
It’s another motivational Monday at the Community Services Department as we pause to recognize International Day of Happiness.
March 20 is the UN International Day of Happiness. Parks and Recreation professionals know a thing or two about happiness because it’s our job! This year’s theme is “Be Mindful. Be Grateful. Be Kind.” While the world seems stressful, finding happiness can be simple if you practice the tenants of this year’s theme.
Be Mindful
Mindfulness is a practiced skill that can help you stay in the moment. If you start feeling overwhelmed, take a few minutes to breathe deeply and notice how your body is feeling. Commit to appreciating every moment you experience today!
Our Fitness and Performance Supervisor knows a thing or two about being mindful. Everyone at Champions Club has experienced Jake Coldren’s happy energy. Here’s how he maintains a healthy balance throughout his day by practicing mindfulness.
“I like to practice mindfulness by taking the time to stop and live in the present, also I try to remind myself that life isn't happening TO me but more so FOR me,” stated Jake.
Be Grateful
Gratitude is essential to increasing our happiness. Instead of stressing about the things you don’t have or haven’t achieved yet, jot down a list of the things you are grateful for in your life. We’re thankful for many things at the Community Services Department, especially spending our days helping our residents create life-long memories.
Here’s what our Deputy Director of Community Relations is grateful for today. “I am most grateful for the time spent with my wife and two stepdaughters. I try very hard to be mindful of how powerful every moment is that we get to share together. Whether it’s a conversation during our weekly Sunday evening dinners as we prepare for the week ahead, or sitting outside watching my youngest ride her bike in the cul de sac, those are small moments of joy that I am very grateful for. I am also very grateful to work for the City of Southlake as we have an opportunity to truly serve others and live out our mission to create world-class experiences every day. I’m grateful for the teamwork and camaraderie that City of Southlake employees share that is truly second to none.”
Be Kind
Kindness is a quintessential trait for happy individuals. When you are kind to others, you enhance your confidence and sense of optimism. The best part? Kindness tends to be contagious! Once you give it to others, they tend to give it back.
Our staff knows that kindness is crucial to our commitment to world-class service. They also incorporate it into every aspect of their lives. Our Senior Center members experience Soheila’s caring nature every day. Here’s how Soheila keeps kindness at the forefront of her customer service approach.
“Happiness is allowing people to express and be themselves. Kindness is bringing joy and a smile to someone’s day by doing the smallest things like acknowledging a new hairdo, a colorful outfit, and letting them know you are happy to see them. It’s letting someone know they matter to you and their joy is your joy. Seniors like to be seen, and letting them know you see them brings them joy and a reason to keep going,” said Soheila.
We love the UN’s theme for this year’s International Day of Happiness! Mindfulness, gratitude, and kindness go hand-in-hand with the Community Services Department’s mission to create world-class experiences.
How will you incorporate this year’s theme into today?
It’s another motivational Monday at the Community Services Department as we pause to recognize International Day of Happiness.
March 20 is the UN International Day of Happiness. Parks and Recreation professionals know a thing or two about happiness because it’s our job! This year’s theme is “Be Mindful. Be Grateful. Be Kind.” While the world seems stressful, finding happiness can be simple if you practice the tenants of this year’s theme.
Be Mindful
Mindfulness is a practiced skill that can help you stay in the moment. If you start feeling overwhelmed, take a few minutes to breathe deeply and notice how your body is feeling. Commit to appreciating every moment you experience today!
Our Fitness and Performance Supervisor knows a thing or two about being mindful. Everyone at Champions Club has experienced Jake Coldren’s happy energy. Here’s how he maintains a healthy balance throughout his day by practicing mindfulness.
“I like to practice mindfulness by taking the time to stop and live in the present, also I try to remind myself that life isn't happening TO me but more so FOR me,” stated Jake.
Be Grateful
Gratitude is essential to increasing our happiness. Instead of stressing about the things you don’t have or haven’t achieved yet, jot down a list of the things you are grateful for in your life. We’re thankful for many things at the Community Services Department, especially spending our days helping our residents create life-long memories.
Here’s what our Deputy Director of Community Relations is grateful for today. “I am most grateful for the time spent with my wife and two stepdaughters. I try very hard to be mindful of how powerful every moment is that we get to share together. Whether it’s a conversation during our weekly Sunday evening dinners as we prepare for the week ahead, or sitting outside watching my youngest ride her bike in the cul de sac, those are small moments of joy that I am very grateful for. I am also very grateful to work for the City of Southlake as we have an opportunity to truly serve others and live out our mission to create world-class experiences every day. I’m grateful for the teamwork and camaraderie that City of Southlake employees share that is truly second to none.”
Be Kind
Kindness is a quintessential trait for happy individuals. When you are kind to others, you enhance your confidence and sense of optimism. The best part? Kindness tends to be contagious! Once you give it to others, they tend to give it back.
Our staff knows that kindness is crucial to our commitment to world-class service. They also incorporate it into every aspect of their lives. Our Senior Center members experience Soheila’s caring nature every day. Here’s how Soheila keeps kindness at the forefront of her customer service approach.
“Happiness is allowing people to express and be themselves. Kindness is bringing joy and a smile to someone’s day by doing the smallest things like acknowledging a new hairdo, a colorful outfit, and letting them know you are happy to see them. It’s letting someone know they matter to you and their joy is your joy. Seniors like to be seen, and letting them know you see them brings them joy and a reason to keep going,” said Soheila.
We love the UN’s theme for this year’s International Day of Happiness! Mindfulness, gratitude, and kindness go hand-in-hand with the Community Services Department’s mission to create world-class experiences.
How will you incorporate this year’s theme into today?
It’s another motivational Monday at the Community Services Department as we pause to recognize International Day of Happiness.
March 20 is the UN International Day of Happiness. Parks and Recreation professionals know a thing or two about happiness because it’s our job! This year’s theme is “Be Mindful. Be Grateful. Be Kind.” While the world seems stressful, finding happiness can be simple if you practice the tenants of this year’s theme.
Be Mindful
Mindfulness is a practiced skill that can help you stay in the moment. If you start feeling overwhelmed, take a few minutes to breathe deeply and notice how your body is feeling. Commit to appreciating every moment you experience today!
Our Fitness and Performance Supervisor knows a thing or two about being mindful. Everyone at Champions Club has experienced Jake Coldren’s happy energy. Here’s how he maintains a healthy balance throughout his day by practicing mindfulness.
“I like to practice mindfulness by taking the time to stop and live in the present, also I try to remind myself that life isn't happening TO me but more so FOR me,” stated Jake.
Be Grateful
Gratitude is essential to increasing our happiness. Instead of stressing about the things you don’t have or haven’t achieved yet, jot down a list of the things you are grateful for in your life. We’re thankful for many things at the Community Services Department, especially spending our days helping our residents create life-long memories.
Here’s what our Deputy Director of Community Relations is grateful for today. “I am most grateful for the time spent with my wife and two stepdaughters. I try very hard to be mindful of how powerful every moment is that we get to share together. Whether it’s a conversation during our weekly Sunday evening dinners as we prepare for the week ahead, or sitting outside watching my youngest ride her bike in the cul de sac, those are small moments of joy that I am very grateful for. I am also very grateful to work for the City of Southlake as we have an opportunity to truly serve others and live out our mission to create world-class experiences every day. I’m grateful for the teamwork and camaraderie that City of Southlake employees share that is truly second to none.”
Be Kind
Kindness is a quintessential trait for happy individuals. When you are kind to others, you enhance your confidence and sense of optimism. The best part? Kindness tends to be contagious! Once you give it to others, they tend to give it back.
Our staff knows that kindness is crucial to our commitment to world-class service. They also incorporate it into every aspect of their lives. Our Senior Center members experience Soheila’s caring nature every day. Here’s how Soheila keeps kindness at the forefront of her customer service approach.
“Happiness is allowing people to express and be themselves. Kindness is bringing joy and a smile to someone’s day by doing the smallest things like acknowledging a new hairdo, a colorful outfit, and letting them know you are happy to see them. It’s letting someone know they matter to you and their joy is your joy. Seniors like to be seen, and letting them know you see them brings them joy and a reason to keep going,” said Soheila.
We love the UN’s theme for this year’s International Day of Happiness! Mindfulness, gratitude, and kindness go hand-in-hand with the Community Services Department’s mission to create world-class experiences.
How will you incorporate this year’s theme into today?
Loyal Champions Club members know it takes a full team to keep our award-winning facility running at world-class capacity.
Everyone in the Community Services Department plays their part in keeping The Marq in tip-top shape, from the front-facing Managers on Duty to our dependable custodians. When it comes to major maintenance management and projects, however, no one knows more than our new Building Operations Supervisor, Robert Sexton!
Robert is a long-time Parks and Recreation professional with ample aquatics, parks, and maintenance experience. His unique background makes him a perfect addition to our team. Robert hit the ground running when he started with us. Now that the dust has settled, let’s get to know him a bit better.
What did you do before coming to Southlake?
I was the parks and aquatics maintenance supervisor for the City of Hurst Parks Department. I worked for the City of Hurst Parks Department for 22 years. I did landscape, athletics, and irrigation. For the last 13 years, I did aquatics maintenance and started to do playground maintenance also.
What made you want to go into local government?
I actually fell into local government by accident. When I was 18, I was working at a hamburger restaurant and a group of code enforcement guys came in and told me about a position open in the parks department. I looked into it and applied. It was the best decision I have ever made!
What are you most excited about in your new position?
The most exciting thing about my position for me is getting to learn a whole new system of operation!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy fishing, getting to go scuba diving at some of the local dive parks, grilling out, and hanging out with the family.
What’s a good piece of maintenance advice staff and members should keep in mind?
Preventative maintenance is key!
Welcome to the team Robert! We are so happy to have you looking out for our incredible facility. If you see Robert out at about throughout The Marq, make sure to thank him for his hard work!
Loyal Champions Club members know it takes a full team to keep our award-winning facility running at world-class capacity.
Everyone in the Community Services Department plays their part in keeping The Marq in tip-top shape, from the front-facing Managers on Duty to our dependable custodians. When it comes to major maintenance management and projects, however, no one knows more than our new Building Operations Supervisor, Robert Sexton!
Robert is a long-time Parks and Recreation professional with ample aquatics, parks, and maintenance experience. His unique background makes him a perfect addition to our team. Robert hit the ground running when he started with us. Now that the dust has settled, let’s get to know him a bit better.
What did you do before coming to Southlake?
I was the parks and aquatics maintenance supervisor for the City of Hurst Parks Department. I worked for the City of Hurst Parks Department for 22 years. I did landscape, athletics, and irrigation. For the last 13 years, I did aquatics maintenance and started to do playground maintenance also.
What made you want to go into local government?
I actually fell into local government by accident. When I was 18, I was working at a hamburger restaurant and a group of code enforcement guys came in and told me about a position open in the parks department. I looked into it and applied. It was the best decision I have ever made!
What are you most excited about in your new position?
The most exciting thing about my position for me is getting to learn a whole new system of operation!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy fishing, getting to go scuba diving at some of the local dive parks, grilling out, and hanging out with the family.
What’s a good piece of maintenance advice staff and members should keep in mind?
Preventative maintenance is key!
Welcome to the team Robert! We are so happy to have you looking out for our incredible facility. If you see Robert out at about throughout The Marq, make sure to thank him for his hard work!
The holiday season is finally here, and we can’t wait to ramp up the celebrations!
The City came together last weekend to celebrate Home for the Holidays and light up Town Square with holiday cheer. As Thanksgiving is this week, however, we didn’t want to let this crucial holiday pass without expressing our gratitude.
Here are five things we are thankful for this week:
Incredible Partners
Our mission is to create world-class experiences, and we couldn’t accomplish that without strong partnerships. Thank you to our volunteers, vendors, sponsors, board and commission members, athletic associations, and community services organizations that enhance the quality of our services every day. We're grateful to you for sharing our mission and helping us meet it daily!
Beautiful Green Spaces
The holiday season is beautiful, but nothing beats having expertly planned and maintained public green spaces and parks. From the twinkling lights in Town Square to chilly walks in Bicentennial Park, November is a great month to get outside. Thank you to our Parks Division for your commitment to city-wide beautification all year round!
Serving our Community
Not everyone is lucky enough to get to do what they love for work every day. Parks and Recreation professionals have the privilege of dedicating their careers to promoting healthy habits, providing exciting recreational programming, and celebrating life’s most precious moments! We love working with our community, from Champions Club members to Senior Activity Center members, programs, and athletics participants! Thank you for your trust!
Supportive Teammates
Cliché as it sounds, teamwork, makes the dream work, and we have an incredibly supportive team in the Community Services Department. This Thanksgiving, we are grateful for co-workers who are always willing to lend a helping hand and make showing up to work fun every day!
Taking Time to Celebrate
Life moves by fast, so it’s essential to take the time to celebrate all occasions, big and small! We are grateful to celebrate this upcoming holiday as we continue to plan world-class holiday programs in the coming weeks. We hope our residents take the time to celebrate with their families and join us throughout the holiday season!
Happy Thanksgiving from the Community Services Department!
The holiday season is finally here, and we can’t wait to ramp up the celebrations!
The City came together last weekend to celebrate Home for the Holidays and light up Town Square with holiday cheer. As Thanksgiving is this week, however, we didn’t want to let this crucial holiday pass without expressing our gratitude.
Here are five things we are thankful for this week:
Incredible Partners
Our mission is to create world-class experiences, and we couldn’t accomplish that without strong partnerships. Thank you to our volunteers, vendors, sponsors, board and commission members, athletic associations, and community services organizations that enhance the quality of our services every day. We're grateful to you for sharing our mission and helping us meet it daily!
Beautiful Green Spaces
The holiday season is beautiful, but nothing beats having expertly planned and maintained public green spaces and parks. From the twinkling lights in Town Square to chilly walks in Bicentennial Park, November is a great month to get outside. Thank you to our Parks Division for your commitment to city-wide beautification all year round!
Serving our Community
Not everyone is lucky enough to get to do what they love for work every day. Parks and Recreation professionals have the privilege of dedicating their careers to promoting healthy habits, providing exciting recreational programming, and celebrating life’s most precious moments! We love working with our community, from Champions Club members to Senior Activity Center members, programs, and athletics participants! Thank you for your trust!
Supportive Teammates
Cliché as it sounds, teamwork, makes the dream work, and we have an incredibly supportive team in the Community Services Department. This Thanksgiving, we are grateful for co-workers who are always willing to lend a helping hand and make showing up to work fun every day!
Taking Time to Celebrate
Life moves by fast, so it’s essential to take the time to celebrate all occasions, big and small! We are grateful to celebrate this upcoming holiday as we continue to plan world-class holiday programs in the coming weeks. We hope our residents take the time to celebrate with their families and join us throughout the holiday season!
Happy Thanksgiving from the Community Services Department!
Promoting learning and growth is a fundamental part of our City and Community Services departmental strategy. The best way to achieve that corporate objective is when our employees move up our ranks!
Luis Marquez is a prime example of a home-grown employee in the Community Services Department. Luis is currently the Athletics Coordinator for the Recreation division, but he’s no stranger to our recreational programs. Throughout his time with the City, Luis has held multiple part-time positions that have created world-class experiences for our customers.
Luis began his journey with the Community Services Department as a Recreation Attendant for Athletics in December 2019. In 2020, he worked as Camp Counselor during Spring Break and Summer Camp Mania. Luis became a Recreation Specialist in December of 2021, wearing multiple hats by working with the Cross Timbers Forest Preschool, Athletics, and Programming teams. His last part-time role was Nature Camp Counselor at Bob Jones Nature Center before being promoted to his first full-time position later during the summer.
Let’s see what he has to say about his new role.
What is your favorite part about your current position?
“It’s hard to pick one favorite part about being the Athletics Coordinator, so I’ll pick two! I love when I see old faces from Camp. They love coming up to me to say hi and say they miss me being a counselor. Also, I like that I can use all the feedback I received over the last three years and implement them in our leagues. From what I’ve seen and heard, most participants have enjoyed participating in our Fall Leagues. This year’s Fall Leagues are my first to coordinate as a full-time employee.”
What do you hope to accomplish in this role?
“Ultimately, my main goal is to ensure all participants have fun while maintaining the level of competition they seek. It’s super important to enjoy the sport in all aspects. My current goal is to help improve registration numbers for girls across all leagues. I love seeing girls play in our flag football league and would love that trend to continue!”
What is something Athletics participants should know?
“I plan to be active throughout our leagues, so you’ll see me often on game days! Come say hi to all the Athletics staff!”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“In my free time, I like to play video games, hang out with friends on the weekend, or go to the gym!”
Congratulations on settling into your new role this Fall season, Luis! We can’t wait to see what else you’ll accomplish!
October is a beautiful time to host a wedding, and there’s no better place in the DFW metroplex to get married than in Legends Hall at The Marq Southlake.
Legends Hall is a gorgeous state-of-the-art wedding and events venue located in the heart of Southlake. On any given weekend our venue hosts life’s most memorable occasions such as weddings, baby showers, bridal showers, birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations. Booking ahead of time is the key to securing your spot in this beautiful place. If you’ve ever wondered who’s in charge of keeping our venue busy, and profitable, look no further than Sales Specialist Emily Wood.
Let’s get to know her better.
Emily has vast experience in the wedding and event industry. She began her career in 2010 during an internship in the Marketing and Events Department of NYLON Magazine in New York City. She’s worked for multiple wedding planners and restaurants as an Event Coordinator and helped open a wedding and events venue in Fort Worth called BRIK. Emily was at BRIK for two years selling and marketing the venue and working closely with clients on their events. Emily’s career eventually took her to Napa, California, where she worked for Visit Napa Valley, the Marketing and Tourism bureau for the City of Napa. In 2019 she returned to Fort Worth as an Event Coordinator for the ToroToro restaurant in the Worthington Renaissance Hotel. Emily made her way to the City of Southlake as the Sales Specialist for Legends Hall in August 2020.
In her current role, Emily enjoys “making that initial connection with clients. Whether it’s for their Wedding, Birthday Party, Anniversary, or Graduation, they are always so excited to find the right venue and start the planning process. It can be fun to be a part of that journey!”
Working in the events and wedding industry means that Emily keeps tabs on emerging trends. While not so common at Legends Hall, “we are seeing a lot of smaller, more intimate wedding ceremonies and receptions. Couples are really prioritizing who they want present for their special day. They aren't worried about inviting everyone they’ve ever met.”
Emily has a lot of fun hobbies she enjoys when she’s not booking deals and helping customers plan the most exciting celebrations of their lives. As a new Dallas resident, she enjoys exploring new neighborhoods and finding great local spots! She also likes spending time with her boyfriend Kelly, her dog Sookie, and kitten Eleven. A woman of many interests, she appreciates wine tasting, working out on her Peloton, and spending time with friends and family.
Legends Hall wouldn’t be the success that it is without dedicated employees like Emily. If you are looking for the perfect venue for your next big event, give her a call!
