Wasilla parks staff report distribution of new parks passport, budgets and fall events; CIP lists more than $1 million for FY26 park projects

City parks staff updated the commission on public outreach materials, seasonal events, maintenance work and recent capital improvements funding the city approved for fiscal year 2026. The update matters because the passport, events and CIP funding outline the parks department’s priorities for programming, maintenance and capital projects that affect city park use in the coming year. Recreational services director Scott Bell told commissioners the finished parks passport has been printed and distributed at Menards Sports Center, the library, the museum, public works and several local businesses and that staff plan a downloadable web version next year. He said the passport printing was delayed so the new run could be aligned with the FY26 budget. Bell said the department is planning a free Halloween Spooktacular at Menards Sports Center on Friday, Oct. 31, from 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., and that the department’s Facebook page had about 3,903 followers at the time of the report. Parks and property supervisor Jesse Griffiths outlined maintenance accomplishments: new ADA‑compliant pavement around a park path, repainting and cleaning Newcomb tunnel to remove debris, work to improve lighting and possible camera monitoring for a tunnel, a new half‑mile paved Red Trail at Lake Lucille, playground repairs and certification of three parks crew members as playground inspectors. He reported crews removed about 3,400 pounds and 1,700 pounds of trash from two homeless camp sites at Cottonwood Creek and the train depot respectively. Bell and staff recapped Council‑approved FY26 capital projects affecting parks: a parks and trails master plan update, a $250,000 fire mitigation program for dead spruce removal, $100,000 for Wonderland playground repair or replacement, a $300,000 paving plan for Bumpus Ball Fields, $150,000 for Lake Lucille parking paving and $75,000 for general park improvements. Bell summarized those allocations as “over a million dollars invested” for FY26 park CIP projects. Public works director Eric Traum added operational timing: the department is installing underdrains and grading to improve softball field drainage; modular CXT restrooms are en route and should be installed this fall, with electrical service coordination ongoing and full public opening planned for next spring. No additional council or budget votes were taken by the commission at the meeting; staff presented the report for information and to solicit commission input on project priorities and distribution of materials. Details: passport distribution points include Menards Sports Center, library, museum and public works; Halloween Spooktacular is free on Oct. 31, 6:45–8:45 p.m.; CIP line items and dollar amounts were reported by staff.