The Huber Heights Parks & Recreation Board received event and program updates from the YMCA and parks staff at its Oct. 17 meeting and discussed volunteer needs for several upcoming events.

A YMCA representative reported fall sports enrollment totals of 561 children across soccer, flag football and volleyball — 255 in soccer, 109 in flag football and 197 in volleyball — and said winter leagues (basketball and volleyball) will begin after New Year’s. The YMCA representative said the organization will hold a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony on Friday, Nov. 14 at 8 a.m. to mark completion of a building expansion and facility updates. The YMCA will host a veterans recognition luncheon on Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the guest speaker will be retired three-star Air Force General Michael Zettler.

Parks staff reported community outreach and seasonal programming in the coming weeks, including a drive-in–style double feature at Cloud Park that will show The Witches followed by The Mummy and offer free popcorn while supplies last. The staff member also addressed complaints about mowing a large pollinator bed at Cloud Park, saying fall mowing has been past practice to encourage regrowth and that the city had contacted Deeply Rooted Landscapes, the contractor who helped install the beds, to develop written best practices.

The board sought volunteers for a tree-planting event scheduled for this Saturday at 9 a.m.; staff said about 12 three-gallon trees will be planted at Shoalgate and Gary Sherman and larger “bald” trees will be planted in spring to replace removed specimens. Volunteers were also requested for the YMCA trunk-or-treat on Oct. 26 and the city’s Haunted Trail (setup and teardown shifts on the same weekend, Friday and Saturday). Staff encouraged middle- and high-school–age helpers for the Haunted Trail and said some volunteer roles do not require wearing costumes.

Board members discussed 2026 event dates the parks department is trying to lock in to avoid conflicts: a pickleball tournament (two dates proposed, June 12–13 and July 11), a skateboard showcase on June 21 tied to the city’s 250th celebration, a solitary bee program proposed for June 24, and interpretive creek programs to be held across seasons beginning in June. The heritage tree recognition program will continue; staff are obtaining plaques and compiling historical stories about selected trees for a web page.

Staff announced the parks coordinator will be on leave starting in January through roughly March; Molly (parks staff) will be the primary contact for program planning and budgeting while the coordinator is away. Chris Lindeman was identified as the pickleball liaison.

The board also noted it had been accepted into the Miami Valley Leave No Child Inside program and that members should plan to provide an update to the City Council work session on Nov. 5 (Casey Taylor expected to present; Justice Bonarack to cover if Taylor is unavailable). The board set its next meeting for Nov. 20 and noted December meetings are being canceled.