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Council hears Parks CIP: Aspen Park parking, McCarty shelter and pool maintenance cited as priorities
Summary
Staff presented a five‑year parks capital plan focused on parking and safety at Aspen Park, a rebuild of McCarty shelter No.1, pool equipment aging and playground contributions at Berkman Valley School.
City staff presented a draft parks five‑year plan to the council, highlighting parking and safety problems at Aspen Park, a planned rebuild of a heavily used shelter at McCarty Park, and ongoing pool maintenance needs.
Council discussion centered on Aspen Park where parking is consistently inadequate during events. “I think the biggest need we have for parks is more parking, safer parking in Aspen Park,” one councilmember said. Staff said a long‑term solution could include paving additional lots or converting existing storage/overflow areas to gravel parking; they said some areas used by public works and for staging during Core construction could be converted to parking once leveled. Staff warned that paved lots would require larger investments and that establishing new parking (grading and surfacing) can take multiple years to stabilize.
At McCarty Park, staff proposed rebuilding Shelter 1 (the most used shelter) in 2026, noting the pool’s surge tank and other original infrastructure are aging and require ongoing maintenance. Staff reported the pool receives frequent compliments on appearance but acknowledged routine upkeep (painting, mechanical work) and eventual rehabilitation needs. Stone Ridge Park playground surfacing is planned for 2027 and Tallgrass Park parking was flagged as a safety issue; staff said one person recently dislocated a shoulder after a fall there.
Staff also noted the parks board has been engaged and that the city could contribute to Berkman Valley School playground expansion (park staff recommended a $150,000 contribution). Council members asked staff to refine parking cost estimates and to return with options that could be staged or funded when surplus or other funding becomes available.
Ending: Staff will bring refined cost estimates and potential phased approaches for Aspen Park parking and McCarty shelter to the next work session so the council can evaluate priorities for the CIP.
