Commission assigns volunteers for Parks Appreciation Day; staff reports Phase 1B opening delay

Commissioners finalized volunteer plans for Parks Appreciation Day and heard operational updates from parks staff at the April 2 meeting.

Parks Appreciation Day is scheduled for a Saturday in May; commissioners identified three primary sites for volunteer efforts this year — Wilkerson Farm, Crescent Creek Park and Soundview — and discussed logistics including volunteer arrival times (around 8:15–8:30 a.m.), waiver forms for minors, tool needs and parking/traffic management. High-school volunteers were expected to be organized through local Rotary and school “interact” programs; one presenter said 20 students had already signed up through school channels.

Commissioners allocated volunteers by site (Wilkerson Farm, Crescent Creek, Soundview) and noted staff will publish a sign-up link on the city webpage. Volunteers were advised to bring hand tools where possible; staff said they would provide some equipment and offered trailer transport for larger items.

In the parks division update Jennifer Harris, Parks Manager, reported that Phase 1B of the Gig Harbor Sports Complex is behind schedule because of weather and supply issues. Harris said staff had “finally heard back from the National Park Service” regarding a compliance question about foreign-manufactured components and associated waiver requests; the exchange limited some procurement options and contributed to delays. Staff said they are targeting an open-house at the Phase 1B site on April 9 and will post a public survey and flyer with a QR code for community feedback.

Other operational items discussed included finalizing a facilities-use agreement with Gig Harbor Little League (the league reported a registration of about 960 children this season with a short wait list), updates to the YMCA lease and ongoing conservation-area work supported by a small grant from the KGI Watershed Council. Staff also reported discovery of an old foundation in the conservation area and described a collapsed culvert that currently blocks salmon passage; commissioners noted the culvert is an infrastructure issue that will require further planning and funding.

Commissioners discussed invasive species removal (ivy and blackberries) as a possible focus for volunteers and noted an existing “Adopt-a-Park” resolution and program materials that staff can use to coordinate volunteer work without violating labor agreements. Staff and commissioners agreed to revisit invasive-removal priorities and coordination in a future meeting.