Yukon parks staff preview four new playgrounds, master plan process and expanded events

The Yukon Parks and Recreation Board heard an update on multiple capital and programming projects including plans to install playgrounds at four parks, a timeline for a city master plan, and expanded special events.

Parks and Recreation staff member Ryan said the department selected three companies to supply equipment for four playground projects at Dickinson, Welch, the Greenbelt and Bledsoe parks after receiving 10 proposals for each site. “It’s an exciting time in parks and recreation,” Ryan said, adding that one vendor will supply equipment for two sites and two other vendors will supply the other two sites.

Ryan said the Dickinson Park installation is currently the earliest in the schedule, with an anticipated start date around Oct. 15 and an expected one-week install time once manufacturing and shipping are complete. The Dickinson layout will include new parking spaces and a sidewalk to move play areas off the street; the playground will be placed in the park’s northeast corner to reduce traffic exposure. At Welch Park, staff selected Noah’s Park And Playgrounds; that installation is expected in October and will include shade, several slides, a climbing piece and four swings. The Greenbelt site was described as the neighborhood’s first nearby playground; staff anticipate early November start, a one-week install, added parking, a sidewalk set about 30 feet from the road and possibly a fence along a drainage area. At Bledsoe Park staff will add equipment adjacent to existing structures rather than replace them, spacing new pieces to meet ASTM guidelines.

Ryan said color schemes in the briefing packet differ slightly from final selections and that each playground will include multiple swing types. When a board member asked about a lower cost on the Greenbelt option, Ryan said the price reflected seasonal discounts playground vendors offer late in the year.

The board saw images and a status update on an “art in the park” mural on the shed behind the Yukon Community Center (YCC) and were shown before-and-after photos of stucco repairs at the YCC. Jerome (parks staff member) displayed progress photos for the mural and said the artist expects to finish the dolphin mural by the end of the following week.

On the master plan, Ryan said 10 firms submitted proposals; the department will narrow that list to finalists, interview them and hold presentations next week. Staff plan to recommend a consultant to the City Council for approval on Oct. 7. If approved, Ryan said the consultant’s work would take about nine to ten months through the city’s fiscal year end in June.

Staff also reviewed special events and program statistics. For Rock the Root (Aug. 28), Ryan estimated attendance between about 8,000 and 10,000 people and described family activities including a kids’ area, rock wall and food trucks. As part of next year’s Route 66 centennial, staff proposed expanding the event into “Rock the Route” with possibilities that include classic cars, larger music acts and a drone show, Ryan said.

Aquatics figures showed an attendance increase from just over 11,000 last year to more than 14,000 this year, an increase Ryan described as nearly 25 percent. Athletics updates included 238 participants in the NFL flag football program and plans to add a spring league run by an outside operator called Friday Night Lights. Ryan said parks staff have begun partnering with Yukon Public Schools; he said he met with Superintendent Keith Seiner and Yukon Public Schools athletic director Bridal Henson about coordinating programs such as futsal and expanding girls’ athletics, including girls’ flag football and softball.

Staff reported ongoing Christmas in the Park setup and noted that the parks crew divides time between maintenance and holiday installations during the fall season. Ryan also announced the department received the SENA grant again this year — previously about $17,000 two years ago and “just under $25,000” in the current award — to support the Dale Robertson Center lunch program and kitchen equipment.

Board members offered praise for the playground designs, master plan schedule, Yukon Community Center repairs and signage standardization. Ryan said the department will post a notice that the October park board meeting is likely to be canceled because several staff members will attend a training; he said the cancellation will be posted on the city website.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the minutes of the Aug. 20 meeting by voice vote during the session; the motion was moved and seconded but the transcript does not identify the mover, seconder or a roll-call tally.

The board adjourned after the updates.