Parks superintendent outlines upgrades, dog-park opening and recent vandalism costs

Assistant Parks Superintendent Matt Golder updated the commission on Aug. 20 about completed park upgrades, items underway and vandalism costs. Golder said fiscal-year park upgrades included a pendulum swing at Cecil Davis, pour-in-place surfacing at Southside Park and Lewis Kingman Park, and planned exercise equipment installation at Metcalfe Park in September.

Golder reported that the Powerhouse Dog Park had benches, a drinking fountain and a fire hydrant installed and that staff planned a grand-opening ribbon-cutting in September with lighting to be added afterward between the dog park and nearby electric-vehicle chargers. He said the department used inmate work crews for specific projects on a limited, project-based basis.

On trails, Golder said brochures featuring the White Cliffs trail system and Beale Loop were completed with tourism and engineering and that Camp Beale Loop phase 1 signs were being installed. He also said a J2 Engineering kickoff and community engagement session were completed for the master plan.

Golder reported an estimated vandalism cost of about $26,600 for the fiscal year to date (material cost estimate excluding labor), with the largest incidents in May. Examples included repeated restroom vandalism, damaged light bollards, graffiti, trash cans set ablaze and other destructive acts. Several repairs — including a Centennial pool-slide motor rewiring and a vinyl liner patch at Grandview Pool — were completed before the summer season.

Why it matters: The updates reflect continued investment in park infrastructure and recurring maintenance burdens, and commissioners asked staff to track vandalism trends and to coordinate patrols during vulnerable late-afternoon periods. Golder said KPD increased patrols during problem hours and that park staff aim to prioritize camera installation where Internet and power allow.