Kim Turner, staff member, and Jason Baldwin, Parks and Recreation staff, updated the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 29 about departmental operations, program growth and capital needs as the department celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Turner highlighted strong participation across youth sports (soccer, basketball), a longer summer camp season, new teen programming, a senior picnic with a high turnout and more than 75 one‑time workshops offered during the year. She said some programs have wait lists and that costs for maintenance supplies have risen; Baldwin noted a case of field‑line paint has nearly doubled in two years.

Why it matters: Turner told the board the department provides services intended to operate at‑cost, prioritizes inclusion and is seeing both growing demand and higher operating costs. The department is running after‑school programs at two elementary schools and is transporting 20 children from George Watkins Elementary to maintain coverage. Turner emphasized the programs are not licensed daycare and noted staffing constraints for morning coverage.

Capital planning and operations: Turner said planned capital work includes a basketball court at Pine Fork Park and playground replacement or major repair at Quinton Park; she said the department is seeking a matching playground grant to expand the play area. Turner also posed questions about a community center and longer‑term planning tied to Envision New Kent and the department’s master plan.

Staffing, trends and outreach: Turner described new programs for homeschool families, intergenerational activities, therapeutic recreation trends and the department’s social‑media and outreach work. She noted the department is the county’s only entity with a commercial pesticide applicator license for park spraying, and highlighted the need to reach seniors who do not use social media through churches and community partners.

Context and next steps: Turner asked for board direction on priorities for the department’s capital and programming plan and said staff will continue grant searches, program outreach and coordination with other county departments as budget planning for FY27 proceeds.