Parks staff outline master plan RFP, playground replacements and erosion work across system

Parks staff gave a quarterly capital and project update that covered the park master plan, playground replacements, trail repairs and several site restorations.

Tim (parks staff) said the city’s park master plan is out for proposals and that staff expect to shortlist vendors and begin community engagement when a consultant is selected. “The park master plan... is out for an RFP and then we will be making a selection here in the... very near future to select a consult to do the park master plan,” Tim told the board.

Staff highlighted several near‑term projects: demolition of an existing building at Prairie Park followed by improvements; a Central Riverside playground replacement and a Riverside RFP being prepared; prioritization of trail and sidewalk repairs (with a push toward concrete panels for longevity); and erosion and landscape restoration on the east bank and keeper parking area along the river, with work intended to begin this fall and continue into next year if necessary.

Tim also noted scheduled and in-progress projects systemwide, including new basketball courts, upgrades to athletic facilities, signage replacement, a mile-long Chatham Creek Park trail that will temporarily close the park for construction, and several completed items now moved to the finished list. He urged the board to review the detailed spreadsheet of identified, initiated and in-progress projects and asked members to flag priorities.

Reggie added a staffing announcement: interviews for the superintendent position concluded and an internal candidate will be announced by the end of the week. Staff said they will coordinate community engagement for the master plan and that the plan will guide CIP priorities for the next 10–15 years.

No formal vote accompanied the report; staff said they will return with vendor selection details and engagement timelines once those are finalized.