Madison City parks staff reports hires, pool schedule, campground flood closure and new registration software

Tanya Burnett, parks department staff, reported staff changes, program schedules and storm-related closures at a Madison City Parks Department meeting, and invited the public to upcoming volunteer and hiring events.

Burnett said Parks has hired Linda Lee to replace an employee named Kim, who retires May 2; Lee will start “the 14th” with a short training overlap. She announced a student hiring fair for concessions and front‑door staff at Brown Gym on April 12 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., and said Crystal Beach seasonal hiring is under way and lifeguard recruitment continues.

The rec registration software rollout was delayed; Burnett said the new system’s launch moved to April 15. She told the panel that when active, patrons will receive scan‑cards for packages and program access that can be used across park facilities.

Burnett gave a pool schedule: Crystal Beach pool will open May 23 (the Friday of Memorial Day weekend). Weekday hours from May 23 to June 8 will be 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; weekend hours 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. From June 9 through Sept. 1 weekday hours will be 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and weekend hours 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; programs will run 8 a.m. to noon and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. beginning June 9. She agreed to ask staff to post the hours in a front window on Main Street for public visibility.

Burnett said the campground opened April 1 but staff closed it when flooding threatened the area; Kim processed refunds for scheduled campers and staff are watching river levels and pump operation. She said crews likely will pull pedestal power and that parks and street crews are coordinating pump monitoring. A larger rental pump was expected to arrive the next day.

Facilities work is ongoing: fields at Rucker, John Paul Park and Kiwanis are being repaired, dugouts at John Paul Park are complete, and a public cleanup at John Paul Park is scheduled for April 12 at 10 a.m.; the Parks Department and local working groups are leading that effort.

Burnett also reported that DOC (Department of Corrections) work crews who previously worked through the street department are now assigned under parks supervision and are assisting with mowing, riverfront and other park maintenance. She publicly thanked the DOC crew members for their work cleaning parks and the pool.

A separate senior-center update from Brett noted 107 meals served in March, 26 bags of produce distributed, a recent trip to the Cincinnati Museum Center, an April trip to Marengo Cave, a new Tuesday dance program led by Diane (RSVP coordinator), and ongoing regular activities and rentals at the center.

In public comment, Jan Atreus, a resident of 701 East Second Street, asked whether neighbors around Damon Welch Park had seen final plans; Burnett said funding and timeline issues remain and she would place neighbor outreach on her list for follow-up.

Staff and board members did not take any new policy votes during the park report; Burnett described operations, schedules and follow-up items for staff.