Council approves paving and new courts at Ashley Park; funds come from reduced reserve requirement

Lebanon City Council on July 14 approved paving of the lower Ashley Park parking lot and installation of a pickleball pad and basketball court, using funds staff said became available after the city reduced its reserve requirement from 25% to 10%. Nut graf: Parks staff said the project will be design-build and will use existing drawings; the work will add parking, new court surfaces and fencing, and address neighborhood complaints about vehicles using the unpaved gravel lot. Staff member John said the funds came from lowering the reserve account and that the city would use existing drawings and a design-build contractor to provide engineering and construction. "It will also include the installation of a basketball and pickleball pad, which we will finish with fencing and stuff like that after they do the pads, sidewalks, and everything else around that," John said. He added the project will reduce damage from vehicles engaging in reckless driving on the unpaved lot and should improve parking for recurring events such as 5Ks. The ordinance was approved on two readings; staff confirmed the price in the presentation remained valid as of June. Ending: Work is expected to follow standard procurement and design-build scheduling; staff will return with contractor and construction timelines.