[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6625895,"mediaKeyId","2755999-3c87508e75da3dc3deb72882ae4ca418","parentId",2755999,"title","Votes at a glance: minutes, Highland Park pool and Downtown Hawker Park (March 15, 2025)","audioSeconds",2261,"startMs",66000,"endMs",2327000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755999-3c87508e75da3dc3deb72882ae4ca418&start=66&end=2327","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755999-3c87508e75da3dc3deb72882ae4ca418/thumbnail_66000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6625895/Oklahoma/Votes-at-a-glance-minutes-Highland-Park-pool-and-Downtown-Hawker-Park-March-15-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625895-b3553d98f61dbadc43ea971dab4904d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086558&Signature=Y3ochlC2qx1CkFkh-VJYeHre6uitnMP-vctUTZ5Vh7uek4-sGEX4hKvlufaQ4ptb6~k0moCYjvRJr9mMBzO8p7md7~MDPmUOga2lwwV-sTSmuz4BLI8cetKMNnUSD7wB-rPJOMVuFB8~cGVIDXaLtDb0E6K76rQchrZnA0y4ExMh9QFakoMRRZOVfJA1G7Q2pupKcLpmXPCMdjmjfH0hvu2miTWkWcqy2SYFYzVEY4cZtoSQzBQTWlFFeSP6NRXY8vO10mGqjjvI59c-SKuUw5zCYpL-VliLWZnJs0E0QGNwDFK2tnyKxBuFMYyM1fAJ8wRbvWLB0stf-J8-hHopxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Guthrie, OK","date","2025-03-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Parks and Urban Forestry Board recorded several formal actions during its March 15 meeting. All motions listed below passed unanimously by a 4-0 vote unless otherwise noted.

• Approve minutes for Jan. 16, 2025 meeting — Motion passed, 4-0.

• Approve staff recommendation and design package for Highland Park pool renovation — Motion passed, 4-0. (See article: Highland Park pool redesign approved.)

• Endorse staff recommendations for Downtown Hawker Park (Shops pocket park) and proceed with grant administration and Historic Building Commission review — Motion passed, 4-0. (See article: Board approves design for Downtown Hawker Park.)

These votes move the pool and downtown projects forward to the next implementation steps: the pool design will proceed to final construction documents and bidding, and the downtown park project will proceed with grant reimbursement and Historic Building Commission review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","3/21/25 Parks & Urban Forestry Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its March meeting the Parks and Urban Forestry Board approved minutes for its Jan. 16 meeting and voted to endorse both the Highland Park pool redesign and the Downtown Hawker Park pocket-park design. All votes recorded were unanimous (4-0).","taxTitle","Parks and Urban Forestry Board Meetings, Guthrie, Logan County, Oklahoma","taxId",74059,"location","Oklahoma","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625900,"Parks staff report: repairs, vandalism and grant updates; T-SET application pending",337,2561000,2898000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755999-3c87508e75da3dc3deb72882ae4ca418&start=2561&end=2898","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755999-3c87508e75da3dc3deb72882ae4ca418/thumbnail_2561000.jpg","/articles/6625900/Oklahoma/Parks-staff-report-repairs-vandalism-and-grant-updates-T-SET-application-pending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625900-49f3ae6099aeddb0ea31303520257937/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086558&Signature=TVvDbo3F4N8Ge8mFR2YjXDNvQS0ft2jDsuvY6FQyTh~u5p3WvLISNhYgphhbxwUDDc-smXqRK4eaR0917UxPc2XStEH8B~81AwaoqPdpGNDUqpJtbwS52t0giiTg6rzI-Qg7QjkOdphSuJz97J3FIUj6rjCejwSgDhrooeNan9IIjnsBc1ofz5fqZHocDhSUF8hg0HtLUUw4EBbZ9jUngc8aWB6PPfNL6-GYrZJUgUWmmr1zC4CuzTsxuzkI-AXk2k~a0pNzynLpazGYgNDDQ1iQPo4F7y2dVYHmuGnm0KXMfuAzV4JpD7Fasr-0zJoF6eI0cWdGouYM1SSr8f0UaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks staff used the March 15 meeting to report maintenance work, vandalism, and grant updates across city parks and to request assistance for some larger tasks.

Maintenance and repairs: Staff said winter freeze and a related power outage damaged heaters and plumbing at Guthrie Lake’s mechanical room; those systems are under repair. Highland Park experienced pipe breakage during cold weather but staff said Highland is now open after repairs. Staff also reported routine tasks — dead tree removals in several parks are largely complete except for Mineral Wells, where additional street-department assistance is requested.

Pond renovation and picnic tables: Staff reported they cleaned and repainted a cemetery pond, removed a few trees to open sightlines and will address picnic-table maintenance in other parks.

Playground vandalism and aging equipment: The parks team said vandals used a torch on playground equipment at Mitchell Park; although staff assess the structures as safe to use, parts are obsolete and replacement pieces are not available, which limits repair options. Staff noted several playground systems (Highland Park, Mitchell Park, Ritzock Park and Lyons Park) are about 25 years old and may need future replacements rather than part-by-part repair.

Grant updates: Staff said they submitted a T-SET grant application for pickleball courts at Mineral Wells (an application described in the meeting as $100,000 annually for two years) and that the application is under review; staff noted Dan Cassick, the planning director, is leading that submittal.

Other notes: Staff described routine event support (Renaissance fair, the Mid South bicycle event) and said they are addressing occasional maintenance missteps such as a dye incident that was corrected. Board members thanked staff for ongoing work and asked for continued vigilance on vandalism and aging infrastructure.

Follow-up: Staff requested support from the street department on larger tree removals and said they will continue to prioritize repairs and long-term planning for obsolete playground systems.","Parks staff reported winter freeze damage to plumbing at Guthrie Lake, repairs completed at Highland Park, pond renovation work at the cemetery, playground vandalism at Mitchell Park and other aging-playground concerns. Staff also confirmed a T-SET grant application for pickleball courts at Mineral Wells was submitted and remains under review.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625905,"Board sets April 27 Arbor Day event at Highland Park; fundraising target $50,000",172,2378000,2550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755999-3c87508e75da3dc3deb72882ae4ca418&start=2378&end=2550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755999-3c87508e75da3dc3deb72882ae4ca418/thumbnail_2378000.jpg","/articles/6625905/Oklahoma/Board-sets-April-27-Arbor-Day-event-at-Highland-Park-fundraising-target-50000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625905-e1b9c969895a6fb45d56f96075be0885/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086558&Signature=M5VG~Ge0ysfw4sXJJLak0MLhY7gXfdqTg-beVdjWwGSQWuEQHR~PLWgiud5mj-38U-w9QFyD0RZsxf08QeISVB~AlSS3Xn7VSv3s9-HZ3FXpT0NMERKZ95Zh4zRTmNyjZFwd2UqYAesrGhf5bSgVvQc~frLDqai5czCiC6oK8-9bpPS8lAGAvyNUOvwgvpm1-5r0rbScohaFhSM8V2GhTBzQYApCNy3Lxu39N0K9cwrunV-3R1RijbEN8KZ9~0oQcGVsfxd72ZAnpJXPEsmM--m5PbFwZUgRWM-U9b1oWiE3PAamXllMRQRmD03ksqBBBfSE3al-eCggUHuvFj6Dhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and board members picked Sunday, April 27 as the target date for an Arbor Day event and park-wide cleanup at Highland Park and said they are pursuing fundraising toward a $50,000 playground improvement goal.

Staff reported the event will include tree plantings, a sign restoration (painting the park sign), a park-wide volunteer cleanup and a possible scavenger-hunt-style activity featuring fairy houses installed in the park ahead of the event. The staff update noted the city has secured the tree(s) intended for planting and will keep additional saplings on hand as backups.

Funding and partners: Staff said fundraising will be handled through Neighborhood Solutions, which will provide 501(c)(3) administration for donor contributions and paperwork; staff confirmed donations processed through that organization would be tax-deductible. One staff member recommended completing the city’s exclusive-use application to close the park for the event if needed.

Next steps and volunteer roles: Staff said volunteers, parks staff and vendors have historically helped maintain the Shops area and that a combination of volunteers and staff will support upkeep for the Arbor Day planting, cleanup and fairy-house installations. The board and staff agreed to continue planning logistics and volunteer coordination ahead of the late-April target date.","Staff set April 27 as the target date for an Arbor Day and park cleanup event at Highland Park and said fundraising for playground improvements is underway with a $50,000 target. Neighborhood Solutions will handle donations; organizers plan volunteer cleanups, fairy-house activities and a park-wide cleanup.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":46,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625909,"Board approves design for Downtown Hawker Park pocket park at the Shops",971,1356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755999-3c87508e75da3dc3deb72882ae4ca418&start=1356&end=2327","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755999-3c87508e75da3dc3deb72882ae4ca418/thumbnail_1356000.jpg","/articles/6625909/Oklahoma/Board-approves-design-for-Downtown-Hawker-Park-pocket-park-at-the-Shops","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625909-35e748b5fbc30d489006898c29435aa0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086558&Signature=hdoC7hKqVVxhv~h~szeGF9g2gYHuvkQqZDEhMQmfGhLmkn~DyQovOuTugZKN06TD2J8mwvhRUA2h5uNpgMB4Fg-8PXeu13O5yc9a64lT3TwbAKVyjhMYwccRW5DRNsVT1Ax0dY8MHK6-QPTqDUstunmrRJDPRou0ELcfBCH2gSx9EPC1zjfzF8MaDKy2mooCZTzeJyiMbWLXxF9B7AKpviNQgykSSvplY69uJ7v0amE8l3QewVoAnEDIUHd1BFnis8zyNPCYQ3hNXQWgLO7NSDiJpUJnIMWzsjkmS0S15Y0s54uBoD8hDqsF7d-vbLfiHjOBgBoh5i6RnDT~OrUeKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Parks and Urban Forestry Board on March 15 voted 4-0 to approve staff recommendations for a new pocket park and community space adjacent to the Shops downtown (referred to in staff materials as the Downtown Hawker Park).

Shawna Rooney, the city’s economic development director, presented the proposed layout: a central activity lawn surfaced with turf or decomposed granite, four new trees with surrounding flower beds, movable picnic seating to accommodate events, reuse of existing planters and black metal fencing to visually tie the park to the Shops. Rooney said the site currently functions more as a community space than as a parking lot and that converting the area to a pocket park would support farmers markets and other downtown events.

Why it matters: Staff said the site’s current use and frequent vendor-driven events motivated a redesign that adds shade and seating while preserving vendor and food-truck access. Rooney said designers plan to provide four food-truck spaces at the former parking lot entrance and keep movable furnishings so events can be reconfigured as needed.

Funding and approvals: Rooney told the board the project is funded through a 50/50 matching grant from Main Street administered through the Department of Commerce; the grant will reimburse the city as it spends project funds. Rooney said the city may match with in‑kind labor. Board members noted the project will also be presented to the Historic Building Commission for compatibility review because the Shops sit in the downtown historic corridor.

Design details and maintenance: Proposed elements include decomposed-granite surfacing to match the Shops, four planters and four new trees donated as part of a prior tree program, two ADA-accessible picnic tables, and benches. Staff recommended using low-maintenance turf for the activity lawn because of high foot traffic and to limit mowing.

Board discussion and vote: Members raised maintenance and volunteer stewardship questions; staff said vendors, the parks department and volunteers have been informally maintaining the area and that the city will coordinate routine upkeep. After discussion the board voted 4-0 to endorse the design and recommended plant/amenity choices.

Next steps: Staff will carry out grant administration, finalize materials and seek Historic Building Commission review for facade and furniture color compatibility before construction or installation.","The Parks and Urban Forestry Board voted 4-0 to endorse staff recommendations for a new pocket park and activity lawn adjacent to the Shops downtown. The project uses decomposed granite surfacing, four new trees and a 50/50 matching grant through Main Street and the Department of Commerce.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625914,"Parks board approves Highland Park pool redesign with $2 million estimate",1193,139000,1332000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755999-3c87508e75da3dc3deb72882ae4ca418&start=139&end=1332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755999-3c87508e75da3dc3deb72882ae4ca418/thumbnail_139000.jpg","/articles/6625914/Oklahoma/Parks-board-approves-Highland-Park-pool-redesign-with-2-million-estimate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625914-8d84a0f0b6f6173f7f290277e9902286/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086558&Signature=droic6F5lF3F9goPHte5Tf8xtqePVE6awIuLtC0-Mp0aDdFOUWa49umVblez0ME9zx0TQU~6oUO1GMux0pHi5XM9kJVDpPY6~4iydprUnhA1ZWNHxBN8qTfb7NkdgJjjIOoCSic2lj2sb4VoPNHyEgL0C4vbfyQiJaNb2ZpZ9I1D2jPxdVYKGXJOdssBIhVxeUtDECXnfK7KP5uU0iMZ1FIhJLJRCdYiDH~YuB-YilVLXS86xogDuaiIYWHSo0tc7FlOswONp7xcqW5~CNiLB42dndMn1DIsnl1ROGAtGP4wxPE9pQmMTx49gSFKhHWfq9KEf3XBpwCVb9vmRLu5fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Parks and Urban Forestry Board on March 15 approved design recommendations for a redesigned municipal swimming pool at Highland Park, voting 4-0 to move the project into final bidding and permitting stages.

Board members heard a presentation from Daniel Smith, associate principal and project manager with GH2 Architects, and Aaron Stoops, vice president of construction with Crossland Construction, on a plan that replaces the existing pool and renovates the bathhouse and equipment building.

The project responds to an aging facility that architects described as built in the early 1930s and “in pretty rough state.” Daniel Smith said the existing pool is “roughly about 7,000 square feet in surface area” and that the design team proposes a smaller footprint with more family-oriented features and improved accessibility. “It’s a 0 depth entry pool...the deepest it’ll get is 5 feet,” Smith said, adding the pool will include spray features and a vortex slide.

Why it matters: City staff told the board maintenance and equipment replacement at the current pool have driven recurring costs. The approved design aims to reduce long-term maintenance needs, add ADA-compliant access from the bathhouse to the deck, add a family restroom with an accessible shower, and modernize chemical storage and filtration systems.

Key details: The design calls for demolition of the existing pool deck and the top portion of the pool shell while retaining the deep end so the new basin fits within the historic footprint. Bathhouse improvements include a central lobby, new showers and dry changing spaces, concrete topping slabs to correct slope issues, new copper plumbing in the bathhouse, and separated, ventilated chemical storage rooms in the equipment building. The equipment room will receive new pumps, filters and corrosion-resistant finishes; the roof will be replaced with a steel deck and TPO roofing.

Timeline and budget: Aaron Stoops (Crossland Construction) told the board the pool construction component controls the schedule and estimated roughly a seven-month timeline for the pool work. Final construction documents are expected in mid-May, with bidding to follow; Stoops said the team expects to start construction in July or August and that commissioning likely will take place after several consecutive days above freezing to avoid damage when filling the pool. The project budget is currently estimated at about $2,000,000; Stoops said about 40% of that amount is the pool construction itself. The design team and staff said the city will return to the city council for approval of the final bid award.

Board discussion and vote: Board members asked about equipment-room ventilation, whether chemical rooms should be freestanding, plumbing materials (copper preferred for longevity), and site impacts during construction. Crossland said the site will be largely contained and the broader park should remain open during most work. After discussion, the board voted 4-0 to approve the staff recommendation and design package as presented.

Next steps: Staff will complete construction documents, solicit bids, then present a recommended contract and cost to the city council for approval before construction begins. City staff and the design team said they hope to have the pool ready for the 2026 swim season, subject to bidding results and seasonal commissioning constraints.","The Parks and Urban Forestry Board voted 4-0 to approve design documents for a redesigned municipal pool at Highland Park. Architects said the project prioritizes accessibility and a smaller, lower-maintenance footprint, with construction expected to begin after summer 2025 and the pool targeting the 2026 swim season.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: minutes, Highland Park pool and Downtown Hawker Park (March 15, 2025)

Parks staff report: repairs, vandalism and grant updates; T-SET application pending

Board sets April 27 Arbor Day event at Highland Park; fundraising target $50,000

Board approves design for Downtown Hawker Park pocket park at the Shops

Parks board approves Highland Park pool redesign with $2 million estimate