Parks staff updated the committee on several ongoing projects at White River Park and on plans for Natureland Park.

At White River Park, staff said the pavilion structure is built and landscape restoration is about 95% complete; tables and final site furnishings remain to be installed. The department reported the parking-lot expansion project is nearly finished and projected to be complete by the end of the month; culvert restoration and final purchases of tables were noted as remaining work. Staff also reported a revised mowing plan intended to reduce mowing man‑hours by roughly 35 percent (the department was tracking a 30 percent reduction at the time of the meeting) and to shift labor to project‑based landscaping and ecological improvements.

On the operating budget, staff said as of the packet they had spent about 27 percent of the operating funds and expected most expenditures to occur from mid‑May through early October because of seasonal work. Staff noted larger flagged projects include the White River Pavilion, the sheriff’s office courtyard, the White River dog park and the Price Park natural playground; the latter is in conceptual phase while staff work through procurement hurdles.

Natureland Park, described by staff as the county’s oldest park, includes two parcels purchased in 1953 and 1970 totaling about 122 acres with roughly 42 acres of wetlands, a two‑acre prairie, and roughly 20 parking spaces across two lots. Amenities include a picnic shelter (recently reroofed), a cabin, a half‑acre pond, two bridges, about 235 feet of boardwalk and multiple multi‑use trails. Staff said they gathered approximately 90 paper surveys during a recent clean‑up and will input those responses for planning. Staff also acknowledged weather damage and rust on some informational signs and reported they have replacements in stock and plan to prioritize trail signage updates and kiosk work.

A committee member asked about a bent footbridge; staff said they had made the path passable, would remove the remaining debris and evaluate repair options and would update the committee at the next meeting. Staff said some in‑house welding capability had been used to repair a similar bridge previously and that they would assess whether repair could be handled in‑house or require a contractor.

Public commenters reiterated support for greater access for elderly and disabled visitors, noting the park’s hilly terrain and the value to residents who donated to the park. Henry Sieving said, “This place is the most beautiful place in the world,” and other residents described personal experiences that motivated their requests. Staff invited the public and committee members to visit ongoing sites and review equipment and survey results.

Staff will return with updates on remaining White River Park furnishings, Natureland signage and the bridge evaluation.