City parks staff told the Park and Recreation Board that construction at Keller Sports Park and related playground and trail projects are progressing but remain staggered by equipment lead times and site logistics.

Sports Park status: staff reported the Sports Park is about 71% complete. Restroom buildings are nearing opening pending installation of final fixtures; staff said they will open restrooms to park users once interior equipment including hand dryers is installed. City crews turned keys to LaCrosse to allow the group to move into their assigned storage portion, and maintenance has taken over mowing and basic upkeep for several new fields. Staff said fields F and G and the new baseball fields are now maintained by city crews.

Baseball/multipurpose fields and turf: work crews have demoed the old backstops, installed posts for new nets and begun moisture conditioning for the baseball fields. Large earthwork remains on some fields; staff described “a massive hole in the ground” where construction is active. Contractors are sequencing work so that heavy equipment used on synthetic turf fields completes before pavement work on Sports Parkway and Line Drive begins.

Splash pad and water feature: the splash‑pad foundation and primary water‑feature base are poured and curing; staff said subsequent mechanical and finish work is underway. A separate playground shade structure package has a purchase order issued; staff cautioned the structural columns will be tall (about 22 feet) and the fabric manufacturing lead time may push final completion into January or February, with columns standing for weeks before fabric installation.

Trail and tree work: crews started the Mount Gilead segment of the hike‑and‑bike trail and removed trees where needed for drainage infrastructure; neighbors and HOA representatives worked with staff to save two additional trees where possible. Public Works has finished design work to extend the trail as sidewalk to Overton Ridge Park; staff said they will ask the trail contractor for a change order to add that work to the contractor’s scope so the sidewalk and trail work can be completed together.

Constraints and connectivity: board members and staff discussed feasibility of additional trail links. Staff said some trail gaps require right‑of‑way changes or expensive structures — notably a connection across a broad floodplain near Johnson that would require a bridge of several hundred feet and high cost. Staff and the board said such connections may be most feasible if tied to road reconstruction projects to secure rights‑of‑way and funding.

Why it matters: staff emphasized the sequencing issues (heavy equipment for synthetic turf, fabric lead times for shade) that affect opening schedules and janitorial planning for restrooms; board members recommended staged openings that balance user access and maintenance costs.

Ending: staff said they will continue monthly construction updates, provide timing for restroom openings when fixtures are complete, and coordinate with public works to pursue sidewalk/trail extensions where right‑of‑way and funding permit.