Park upgrades and staffing gaps highlighted as Pulaski Playground gets new rubber mulch

City staff reported progress on several parks projects and said the grounds department is recruiting key positions after recent departures. DPW staff told the Public Service Committee that Pulaski Playground's sand surfacing was replaced with rubber mulch at a cost of about $17,000 and that Unitil donated $500 toward the work. The staff member said crews also improved drainage and replaced mulch at the dog park and repaved walking areas that were damaged by tree roots. On staffing, DPW staff said the grounds foreman recently left and the department is trying to fill both the foreman role and an unfilled number-two position that has been vacant for over two years. The transcript notes the former foreman has offered temporary help to train a new employee. Other projects mentioned include moving usable playground equipment from Waterford Street School to Bigford Playground to add play structures to that site. The DPW representative said crews will install equipment and add rubber mulch at Bigford as part of an ongoing parks improvement effort. Why it matters: the work affects neighborhood play access and park safety; the department's staffing gaps could slow maintenance and future installations. No formal committee action on staffing was recorded; committee members were asked to email specific overgrowth or weed locations to the DPW so the tractor operator can address them.