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Parks commission weighs 2026 capital priorities as Traverse spending winds down
Summary
Staff laid out the city’s funding picture for park capital projects — a recurring base of about $300,000 and predictable lease revenue — and asked commissioners to allocate 100 points across proposed projects to set priorities for 2026.
Parks staff presented an overview of parks capital revenue and a proposed short list of projects for commissioners to prioritize for fiscal year 2026. The presentation summarized recent large investments at Memorial Field and Traverse Park and asked commissioners to allocate 100 points across candidate projects to express priorities.
A Parks Department staff member said, “Our basic, kind of foundation, starting point for parks capital improvement funds every year is $300,000,” and explained that the city receives predictable revenue streams (including roughly $250,000 in lease/mortgage revenues and about $100,000 annually from the RV park) that form the program’s baseline. Staff reviewed a list of potential projects that ranged from low-cost improvements — painted tables and additional bike racks — to larger proposals such as Euclid water access improvements, Cedar Park upgrades, Hickory Park renovations and Third Avenue Pier repairs.
Staff explained the rules for impact fees and how those funds can be used only to expand capacity or serve new growth (for example, new parkland or additional amenities), not to maintain existing installations. The staff presentation also noted recent one-time funding sources: a local-option tax and a large private donation that funded most of Traverse Park construction and related amenities.
Commissioners and members of the public suggested specific additions and near-term needs. Commissioner Josh Delucci said he has observed a maintenance problem at Great Northern Field, asking, “there’s been a lot of dog poop on that field,” and urged signs and additional dog-waste stations; staff agreed to add short-term waste-station coverage. Commissioners recommended keeping initial 2026 spending focused on projects that finish existing investments and address health and safety and low-cost, high-use improvements.
Staff asked each commissioner to allocate 100 points across a set of eight candidate projects and to return the scored sheets for tallying; the results will be shared at a future meeting to guide grant applications and 2026 budgeting. Staff emphasized that some projects would require matching grants or impact-fee funding to proceed and that timing depended on grant cycles and permit needs.
