The University City Council on Aug. 11 approved a resolution authorizing use of a Municipal Park grant for improvements at Heaman Park, including redevelopment of basketball courts, construction of pickleball courts and a miniature soccer pitch. The resolution, which staff said typically funds up to about $575,000 per grant with a required city match, passed after public comment and council debate over additional park needs.
Council member Smotherson urged colleagues to delay approval, saying the proposed scope did not address recurring needs such as an accessible performance platform for the U City Concert Band and Starlight Concerts, parking lot surfacing, rotted telephone poles, and lighting. "What this resolution isn't recognizing is the activities and the need of the park," Smotherson said, asking that the council not approve the resolution as written. Resident Richard Massey and others raised parking and ADA-compliance concerns for the park stage.
Parks Director Girdler told council the item had been discussed at the Parks Commission and that the grant is time-sensitive; staff said the Municipal Park grant is awarded annually and missing the application would require waiting another year. Girdler said the grant is typically about $575,000 with a 5% local match but that preliminary plans supporting the grant had been considered by the commission.
Council member Clay and others urged a compromise: approve the grant to avoid missing the cycle, while directing the Parks Commission to produce a prioritized list of outstanding park needs — including the bandstand/stage, parking, lighting and telephone-pole repairs — for council review. City Manager Rose recommended approving the grant and asking the Parks Commission to evaluate and prioritize the other requests against citywide park needs; Council member Tiemann said pausing the grant would be a mistake. The resolution passed by voice vote.
No specific timeline or detailed cost breakdown for the additional items (bandstand, parking or ADA retrofits) was approved at the meeting; staff said a follow-up Parks Commission report could return recommendations and prioritization for council consideration.