Grand Central Park - Doris Hopper Keeps Residents Hopping

Last year, we welcomed Doris Hopper as our beloved Director of Fun. It’s a big job, but Doris proved herself up to the task and she’s been keeping Grand Central Park residents hopping ever since.

A former police detective from El Paso, Doris came out of retirement to pursue her passion for planning and events and boy, are we glad she did!

“It has been an exciting journey settling into my position as the Director of Fun for Grand Central Park,” she said. “For the past year and a half, I have enjoyed getting to know our GCP residents and putting together events that residents can enjoy.”

Doris puts together more than 100 events per year but says she doesn’t have a favorite because every event she has planned has been one. She does think her Ladies Tea, Fourth of July, Ready to Roll (bowling), Santa’s Wonderland bus trip, National Night Out, Pie Day, walks and hikes, and Felix Navidad rank as some of the best.

“Just as I hope residents love our events (especially my signature events), I have enjoyed planning all of them,” she said. “I get so excited about each of our signature events that I usually can’t sleep when planning them. It’s kind of like planning an upcoming family vacation. That’s what makes my job so fun!”

How does she go about planning the many events residents enjoy? She starts with the residents themselves, sending out a survey at the beginning of the year asking them what they want to do. She also goes the extra mile and gets to know each one of them.

“On a regular basis, I speak to residents, one-on-one, and ask if there is anything that they would like to see or do. Resident input is important to me when planning my events for the year. I am already getting busy on 2020.”

Her plans for the months ahead include a new event – Oktoberfest — as well as last year’s favorites S’mores and Stories, National Night Out, collaborating with the City of Conroe, Bark in the Park, Grand Feast and the Holly Jolly Christmas event. Next year will include old favorites and several new events. She even has a few surprises up her sleeve that she is particularly looking forward to.

Why does she spend so much time planning the perfect events? Her love for our residents.

‘Our GCP residents are busy people,” she said. “However, they moved to GCP to be part of a community. GCP residents want to know their neighbors, they want to feel that they are part of the community. It’s not only where you live, but how you live.”

You can meet Doris at her office in the Coventry Homes model, 215 Twilight Toast Drive to say hello. She’s looking forward to meeting you and finding out how she can make Grand Central Park an exciting and fun place to live!

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