At a recent meeting of the Sandusky Recreation Board, parks staff delivered timelines and next steps for several capital projects affecting multiple neighborhoods, including tennis courts, playgrounds, the municipal rec center and a golf-course bridge.

Chris, parks and facilities staff, said the six tennis courts have their first layer of blacktop in place and crews expect to finish coating and striping next week; if weather cooperates the courts could open around Aug. 1. He said temporary stone parking will be available near the courts and that Firelands Hospital has agreed to let the city use the parking lot across Rockwell Avenue. Chris added signs will prohibit parking on the south side of Rockwell to discourage on‑street parking in front of residences.

The board also heard that Shafer Park’s new playground had concrete poured and that crews plan to secure borders and add safety mulch; Chris said staff plan to open the playground on the upcoming Monday afternoon. For Farwell Park, Chris said the city has solicited designs from three playground vendors and expects to select a design in late fall, with installation timing dependent on vendor schedules.

On the larger rec center project, Chris said the city is working with a criteria architect to finalize numbers and prepare a draft request to solicit design‑build proposals. He described that step as “shortly” forthcoming but did not give a firm date for issuing the request for proposals.

The board was also told that work to mobilize for the golf course bridge (Hole 5) has begun. Chris reported crews are on site to start that mobilization.

Board members raised several neighborhood concerns during the discussion, including parking near the tennis courts and how contractor schedules have delayed playground installations following a wet spring. Chris said staff will coordinate with the city engineer about possible curb work on Rockwell and will provide updated construction and parking instructions to athletic directors and teams.

The board approved minutes at the start of the meeting with a correction (motion moved and seconded; vote: all in favor).