Yukon parks director outlines playground openings, pool renovations and hiring amid storm cleanup

Ryan (parks department staff member) told the Yukon Park and Recreation Board at its March meeting that the new Hillcrest playground is open to the public and several park renovation projects are in progress or planned, while crews continue storm cleanup across city parks.

The update, delivered during the board’s regular meeting, included completed work such as a new outfield fence on Field 3 at City Park, freshly painted pickleball lines at Jackie Cooper Gym, and finishing touches on the YCC door project. Ryan said Kimball Bay is nearly through a sandblasting phase and that the next steps are crack repairs and epoxy repainting; a larger canopy-style cantilever, expanded deck space, replacement of old fencing and filling the nonfunctional baby pool are proposed as follow-on work and would go to city council for capital-budget approval.

Why it matters: the projects affect youth athletics, aquatics programming and neighborhood recreation access across Yukon. Several planned items — the Kimball canopy, expanded deck and baby-pool fill — are contingent on capital budget approval, and the board discussed service impacts and timelines for summer programs.

Inverted-pyramid details: Ryan said all Hillcrest equipment is installed except modified bench swings the manufacturer still must deliver and install. The Field 3 project at City Park now has a thicker black outfield fence. Jackie Cooper Gym had permanent pickleball lines painted to remove temporary tape and tripping hazards, and the YCC door/trim painting portion of that project is complete.

At Kimball Bay, Ryan described the ongoing sandblasting to remove paint from walls, gutters and steps as nearly finished. He said crews have not uncovered major structural defects so far and that, after repairs, the project will proceed to epoxy coating similar to the “City Splash” work completed last year. Funds freed by not installing stainless-steel gutters are being redirected toward a cantilever shade structure and additional deck/fencing work. Ryan also said the baby pool is nonfunctional and a safety concern; staff are proposing to fill it, surface it with turf and add tables, chairs and shade, pending capital-approval.

Other projects on the schedule include stucco repairs and exterior paint at the YCC building (one quote received, two pending), replacement of the large fence around the former flag-football/tee-ball area at City Park (storm damage recently smashed part of that fence), irrigation installation at Chisholm Trail Park (phased plan subject to capital funding), rehabilitation of the Ranchwood bridge connecting the east parking lot to the soccer fields (new planks planned), resurfacing the Kimball parking lot around late April or early May, and replacement of the Kimball pavilion with either a wooden structure or canopy-style option.

Programming and events: the board heard that youth programming is underway — basketball concluded with “over 470” participants, preschool indoor soccer has 134 registered, tennis camp had 19 sign-ups (one session moved because of high winds), a new STEM spring-break program drew 33 children, and the young-chefs cooking program is nearly full. The aquatics team is recruiting lifeguards, swim instructors, pool managers and concessions staff for the summer season, and camp positions are also being filled. Ryan said the city phone number for program information is (405) 350-8937 and program listings are at yukonok.gov/fun.

Special events: recent events included a January daddy–daughter dance (with a sensory-friendly early session), the Chocolate Festival (raising over $4,000 for the Yukon Ladies Library Club and Yukon Parks & Recreation), and a Trout Fish Out at Welch Park that attracted “well over 300” attendees. Upcoming events mentioned were the Taste of Yukon, Yukon Senior Games April 4–12 (238 registrations reported), and the third annual Flashlight Easter egg hunt, weather permitting.

Storm damage and staffing: Ryan described cleanup work after recent storms: many limbs and some older poles damaged, two downed power lines (one smashed a fence at City Park and another caused an oil stain near the horseshoe pit), and damage to older light poles at Hillcrest. Regarding hiring, Ryan said City Management has permitted hiring for essential seasonal positions needed to operate aquatics and camps despite a broader hiring freeze; at least one nonessential position remains under discussion and has not been approved.

Board comments: several board members praised staff efforts. Carrie (board member) said she had “several families ... tell me what an amazing time their kids had” at recent events. Steven (board member) and others recommended considering a larger venue for the Trout Fish Out because of crowding.

Votes at a glance: The board approved the Jan. 15 meeting minutes by voice motion; the transcript records a motion, a second and the chair’s statement “Motion approved,” but specific roll-call votes or counts were not recorded in the meeting transcript.

Ending: Board members confirmed the next meeting date as April 16. No formal motions on capital projects were voted on at this meeting; several items were described as contingent on city council budget approval or further quotes and will return for future action.