Parks reports on events, playground projects and fire plan coordination with Eastside Fire

Parks operations staff provided a department update on July 17, summarizing recent community events, capital projects and fire-planning coordination. Sam Hart said the city’s summer celebration drew large community participation and that several playground projects are progressing: Roanoke Park’s playground surfacing and equipment are mostly installed and expected to open this summer; First Hill Park permits are issued and equipment is staged; and Dean’s Children’s Park public engagement continues with an online survey open through Aug. 4.

Hart updated trustees on Luther Burbank pickleball courts, saying construction is complete and use is high. He then reviewed wildfire and emergency coordination work: staff updated Appendix M (the Pioneer Park and Engstrom Open Space fire-management plan) in 2022 in collaboration with the fire department and said the city is now working with Eastside Fire and Rescue following regional dispatch and service changes.

Trustees asked whether training or practice runs are planned under the updated fire-management approach. Hart said staff will continue discussions with Eastside Fire and identified a next step of contacting landowners adjacent to open space to discuss vegetation management. Trustees also requested a summary of volunteer events and participation: Lizzie Stone said staff maintain volunteer event data and will compile counts for the trust, and trustees discussed sending a group thank-you or hosting an appreciation event.

Staff listed upcoming volunteer restoration events in late July and noted the next trust meeting is Oct.16; no formal vote was taken.