The Coos Bay Parks and Recreation Commission voted to accept a donation from Oregon Parks Forever to install a Kids in Parks trailhead sign and supporting materials at John Toppett Park.

The donation, offered July 23, 2025, would provide the manufactured trailhead sign, a supply of brochures (about 8,000 printed as a two-to-three year supply), a web page, stickers and prize fulfillment tied to the Kids in Parks program, and program support for three years. Christine Sylvester, City of Coos Bay parks staff, told the commission the group will produce the trailhead marker and brochures and that the city would be responsible for selecting the precise trail, approving brochure content and the trailhead sign, installing the sign and keeping brochure boxes stocked. "It takes about 10 weeks to get the trailhead marker right now," Sylvester said, noting an installation timeline likely in late October or early November if the commission proceeded.

Why it matters: the Kids in Parks track-trail network is designed to encourage families with children to visit parks by offering short, age-focused scavenger-hunt style brochures and stickers. Sylvester told commissioners the program targets children roughly ages 6 to 12 and that brochures can be tailored to local features (for example, tree- or pond-themed guides). Oregon Parks Forever is partnering with the national Kids in Parks program to place trailheads across Oregon; Sylvester said the network has installed 32 kiosks so far and has 18 more in production toward a summer goal of 50 kiosks.

Key details discussed:
- Suggested location and routing: staff recommended placing the trailhead at John Toppett Park and proposed a route beginning at the parking lot/playground/restrooms/kayak kiosk that would be under a mile for school-age children. Commissioners discussed customizing brochure themes and which short route would be best for children.
- City responsibilities: the city must select the exact trail, choose up to three brochure themes from the catalog, approve the trailhead sign artwork, install the sign (concrete and an auger were noted), maintain brochure boxes and provide a QR code backup if printed brochures run out.
- Costs and funding: Sylvester said the immediate city expense is mainly staff time and minor installation materials; she estimated the sign installation would be "about a $100, plus staff time" and that additional brochure printing in a few years could be "a couple $100." The staff report cited fund code 37 (3065202307) as the parks fund to be used for installation materials.
- Timing: manufacturing lead time is about 10 weeks; if approved, Sylvester estimated a likely delivery and installation window in late October or early November.

Discussion vs. decision: commissioners asked about which brochure themes could be customized (Sylvester said two themes — trees and regional birds — were customizable, with other brochures standardized), suggested specific short routes for children and raised logistical questions about staff time and sign installation. After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the donation and another seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote with no individual roll-call recorded.

The commission did not attach conditions beyond staff selection of the trail, brochure themes and approval of sign artwork, and no ordinance, grant award or other legal authority was cited during the discussion.

The commission also noted local volunteer groups, including OBAP, have recently supported improvements at John Toppett Park and that the trailhead would complement other park upgrades such as an ADA kayak launch and a fishing dock footer installed by ODFW.

The commission approved the recommendation to accept the donation and place a trailhead at John Toppett Park; staff will coordinate the kickoff meeting with Oregon Parks Forever and return to the commission with suggested routes and final brochure selections.