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Parks staff warn of $10.5M deferred maintenance; new grants fund Mill Creek and Riverfront work
Summary
Stayton parks staff told the budget committee the replacement value of the parks system is about $31 million with roughly $10.5 million in deferred maintenance. Staff highlighted ARPA and state grants for Riverfront and Mill Creek Park projects and said asset management and a parks levy would be needed to sustain service and planned amenities.
Stayton's parks presentation to the budget committee emphasized a large deferred-maintenance backlog, recent grants to build or improve parks, and the role an operating levy would play in maintaining current services.
What staff reported: Julia Brandt, Director, and Barry, Public Works staff, said the estimated replacement value of the park system is about $31,000,000 and that deferred-maintenance totals roughly $10,500,000 — about 34 percent of park assets in failing or poor condition. Staff listed typical deferred-maintenance items as repaving, irrigation replacement, playground equipment replacement, bench and seating repair, and other physical assets.
Grants and projects: Staff noted a Marion County ARPA grant for a new parking lot and clearing at Riverfront Park (near completion) and a state Parks and Recreation grant for Mill Creek Park phase 1 development, which is currently in archaeological review. Brandt said SDC funds and grant money dedicated to Mill Creek cannot be spent as general-fund maintenance.
Community garden lease: Staff confirmed the city's community garden lease at the prior location was not renewed by a new property owner and that future community garden plans are incorporated in Mill Creek Park phase 1.
Asset management and staffing: Staff said the city lacks a formal parks asset register and that much maintenance is reactive. They argued the proposed parks-operating levy is needed to sustain service levels and to support additional staffing and capital maintenance. Committee members raised concerns about expanding parks without sufficient maintenance funding; staff agreed facilities-development dollars (SDCs and grants) do not automatically fund ongoing maintenance.
Ending: Staff said landscaping and playground repairs are often accomplished through creative, local fixes but emphasized the need for an asset-management program and dedicated maintenance funding for long-term sustainability. The committee requested an asset register and prioritized maintenance list for the next meeting.
