Troy committee hears parks and recreation master-plan update as baseball groups press flood concerns

Christy Marshall, chair of the Community Partnerships Committee, on June 9 heard an update on the City of Troy’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan and statements from baseball stakeholders pressing for action on repeatedly flooded fields.

Planning and Zoning Manager Lawson Idermoyer told the committee the city adopted a comprehensive plan in November 2024 and is now following a four‑phase approach for the parks and recreation master plan, with Phase 1 (information gathering and analysis) completed and Phase 2 (public engagement) underway. “We went live with a community survey last Thursday. We're already hitting about 300 respondents,” Idermoyer said.

The advisory committee for the master plan includes 12 representatives from community organizations and youth leagues, Idermoyer said, and three seats on the stakeholder advisory committee represent baseball organizations. He said the process includes a full Americans with Disabilities Act evaluation of all 27 parks, a review of current programming and pool‑facility options, budgeting and maintenance data collection, and comparison with national metrics from the National Recreation and Parks Association and the state SCORP (Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan).

Committee members and staff described next steps as Phase 3—analyzing service areas, walkability and potential gaps—and Phase 4—an implementation plan identifying funding and partnership opportunities. Idermoyer said the plan will include cost estimates and potential grant sources and that future town halls and a virtual option will be scheduled.

Several committee members emphasized outreach and collaboration. A focus group specific to baseball was scheduled for June 17 to gather targeted input from baseball stakeholders; committee members were told that focus group will be a closed stakeholder session, while broader public meetings will follow. The committee asked staff to ensure council and advisory boards are notified of public engagement dates and to reach out to local disability advocates for ADA input.

During public comment, resident Steve Hendrickson (975 Dickerson) urged faster action on the baseball fields, saying their repeated flooding is evident: “That baseball field is gonna flood again no matter what you do here or whatever you don't do here.” Hendrickson said he wants fields moved to higher ground before the next season and pressed the committee to reduce process delays, while the committee repeatedly noted the master plan process aims to prioritize needs comprehensively.

No motions or votes were taken. Committee members agreed to continue monitoring the master plan timeline, encourage broader survey participation and incorporate the outcomes of the baseball focus group into subsequent committee discussions.

The city encourages residents to complete the parks master plan survey and expects to post the draft existing‑conditions report and advisory‑committee minutes on the city website; final public meetings and an implementation plan timeline were not specified at the June 9 meeting.