Lebanon parks board adopts Westside Park master plan amendment

The Lebanon Board of Park Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the Westside Park master plan and cost estimate as an amendment to the Lebanon Parks and Recreation five-year master plan.

Derek Warren, ADA coordinator and presenter of the proposal, asked the board to “adopt the Westside, master plan park master plan, into your existing master plan as an, an addition and an amendment.” The resolution the board adopted adds the Westside Park concept and its attached cost estimate to the comprehensive plan the board adopted April 5, 2023.

Board members said inclusion in the master plan would make the Westside project eligible as supporting documentation for future grant applications. Warren said the packet included a conceptual layout and a “ballpark estimate” for building the park today, which he identified as about $10,000,000.

During discussion a resident who said they live in the neighborhood asked whether the resolution could be amended to require outside funding before construction and whether the park would raise nearby property valuations and taxes. Warren advised against placing a funding limitation in the resolution, and board members explained that adding the project to the master plan does not commit city funds. A board member noted the master-plan priorities list is a “living, breathing” document and that projects can be phased or reprioritized as funding and opportunity arise.

After discussion, a board member moved to pass the resolution; another seconded. The board voted “aye,” and the motion carried.

The adopted resolution, read aloud at the meeting, resolves that “the Lebanon board of parks commissioner does adopt the Westside Park master plan and cost estimate contained in exhibit a as an amendment in addition to the Lebanon Parks and Recreation comprehensive 5 year park system master plan adopted on 04/05/2023.”