The Kennedale Parks Board on an audit of park upkeep and future improvements focused on Sonora Park, discussing mowing schedules, possible fixed exercise equipment, new lights and a community outreach picnic. Parks staff said routine mowing occurs weekly, that restroom maintenance fell short during Juneteenth and that solar lighting is costly but under consideration.

“Currently, all the parks are mowed on an average once a week,” said Christian, a parks staff member. He told the board that heavy rain can accelerate growth and that special events can prompt extra mowing.

The board discussed installing fixed, tamper‑resistant exercise equipment—items such as pull‑up bars and mounted machines that do not use removable weights—but staff warned the board that the current fiscal‑year budget is closed. “Our budget is kinda sealed for this coming fiscal year ’26,” Christian said; any new purchases would likely be considered for the 2027 budget cycle.

On lighting, Christian said the city is soliciting bids for lights at Sonora Park and for parking‑lot and path lighting at other sites including Rogers Farm. He estimated solar fixtures run about $9,000 apiece and said a recent local installation averaged roughly $47,000 for a small set of units. “One light is gonna cost us, like, $9,000,” Christian said. He added that the solar fixtures the city has purchased carry about an eight‑year guarantee.

Board members and staff discussed alternatives: hardwired utility connections would avoid the high per‑unit cost of some solar options but can carry longer wait times for service connections. Christian said the city has reached out to multiple solar vendors and is seeking competitive bids.

Because of cost constraints, the board agreed to gather resident input before pressing for large purchases. The board plans a public survey to measure community interest in exercise equipment and to gather signatures or petitions to strengthen any funding requests to the city manager.

Separately, the board discussed organizing a community picnic or outreach event in the fall and the possibility of partnering with an annual community concert organized by a local resident, referred to in the meeting as Miss Sarah. Laura Sanders, identified in the meeting as representing senior outreach (which collaborates with First Methodist), was cited as a contact for the event; the concert was said to be typically held in September.

Procedural items: the board approved minutes from its May 13, 2025, meeting (motion by Von Schoop; second by Tamika Sargent) and later voted to adjourn (motion recorded as made by Von Singh; second by Tamika Sargent). The meeting concluded at 7:03 p.m.

Why it matters: Mowing, lighting and fitness equipment affect park safety, public use and city budgets. Costs discussed—especially for solar lighting—may require multi‑year budgeting or resident support to advance.

What remains unresolved: the parks board did not adopt any purchase orders or allocate capital funding during the meeting. Bids and vendor selections are pending, and the board will collect resident feedback before requesting funds from the city manager or council.