Residents press for playgrounds, completed Hintz Park amenities and longer access to new Mackenzie Park restrooms

Multiple residents raised park improvements and hours during the workshop, seeking faster completion of playground amenities at Hintz Park and later public access for new Mackenzie Park restrooms.

A resident who lives near Hintz Park said children currently play among “dirt miles” and cement pipes and asked for swings and slides rather than the current retention‑pond feature. City staff said the park is being done in phases and that initial work addressed flooding mitigation; additional playground equipment and swings are planned in a later phase.

Candace Harbison praised the new Mackenzie Park restrooms but said they were locked outside of office hours and asked they be open later in the evenings, similar to the breezeway hours. A staff member acknowledged closures tied to infrastructure problems and occasional clogging and said a sign indicating “out of order” would be preferable to locking the restrooms without notice. Staff said they would review hours and consider later access while balancing safety and maintenance concerns.

Ending: Staff described phased construction at Hintz Park that prioritizes drainage and said playground equipment will be added. For Mackenzie Park restrooms, staff promised to check hours, post clear “out of service” signage when necessary and consider extending access consistent with safety and maintenance capacity.