Parks Committee approves equipment removal, budget request and several park plans; six items forwarded to Council or implementation

The Green Bay Parks Committee approved several recommendations April 9 and forwarded them for action or implementation. The committee’s actions included a recommendation to remove playground equipment at St. John’s Park, a request to add weekend snow-removal overtime to the 2026 budget, approval of the Perkins Park master plan and a one-time paid-parking proposal for Colburn Park during NFL Draft events. The committee also approved the Green Bay Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan (2025–2029), authorized a grant application for a flood-resilience project at East River Emily Park, and approved purchase of a 2026 chassis for a forestry chipper truck.

Votes at a glance

- St. John’s Park playground: Committee approved removing playground equipment and referred staff to prepare a future-use plan. (See separate article for full discussion.)

- Snow removal on park sidewalks: Committee asked staff to include about $11,110 in additional overtime in the 2026 budget to enable clearing sidewalks the Parks Department maintains within 24 hours after snowfall events (estimate assumes three nighttime/weekend events per year at about $3,700 per event).

- Perkins Park Disc Golf Natural Area master plan: Committee approved the master plan, which reduces the existing 18-hole course to a redesigned 9-hole course, adds strategic tree plantings and introduces prairie plantings and a formal trail system. The department has $50,000 in bonding to start implementation and ordered 120 larger-caliper trees this year.

- Colburn Park paid parking during NFL Draft: Committee authorized charging a $50 daily parking fee for paved stalls during draft days, using the city’s Passport parking app and signage; staff said revenue would remain with the Parks budget for the event; enforcement would be by the city’s parking division.

- Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2025–2029: Committee approved the plan and a resolution adopting the plan, as required by the Wisconsin DNR for some grant eligibility.

- East River Emily Park flood-resilience project (DNR grant application): Committee approved a resolution authorizing a grant application seeking about $244,000 from a DNR stewardship/land and water conservation grant to fund recreational components (boardwalks, water access points, observation platform). Staff reported a 50% local match is required and said the city has commitments for roughly $150,000 in additional grant funds, leaving an estimated city obligation of about $94,000; the city would include that in the 2026 budget if the grant is awarded.

- Equipment purchase: Committee approved buying a 2026 International MB607 chassis from International Motors LLC for $96,763 as the first part of replacing an aging 2004 forestry chipper truck; staff estimate the complete build (body and hoist) will total roughly $50,000 more and is within the bonded replacement budget.

How decisions were made: Most committee approvals were by voice vote with no roll-call tallies recorded in the transcript. Several items included staff cost estimates and follow-up referral instructions to incorporate proposed spending into the 2026 budget cycle.

Next steps: Items that require funding or grant awards will be placed in the 2026 budget or await grant results (grant awards expected 4–18 months after application). All committee recommendations that change city policy or spending will be forwarded to the full Common Council where required.

Ending: Committee members said many items — particularly the snow-removal budgeting and the park master plans — will influence operations and budgets and will return for more detailed financial planning.