Henderson parks director outlines six crews, maintenance duties and two fundraising projects

The Henderson City Council heard a department update from the Parks and Public Services director, who outlined six operational crews that maintain city buildings, streets, drainage and parks and described several capital and fundraising priorities.

The director, Jay, described the crews and their responsibilities: building and grounds maintenance (AC, plumbing, custodial), construction and fabrication (remodels and welding), roadway maintenance (about 75 miles of city streets and right-of-way mowing), concrete and drainage (storm drains, culverts and sidewalk repairs), and two parks and recreation crews that maintain about 200 acres of landscaped property including six parks and four city cemeteries. "These guys do general maintenance on all our city buildings. This is things like, AC repairs, plumbing repairs, electrical repairs, light bulbs, leaky toilets, you name it, we fix it," Jay said.

Jay told the council the department is fundraising to convert Fair Park tennis courts into a pickleball complex with a $300,000 fundraising goal and to build an inclusive playground at Yates Park with an $800,000 goal. He also noted a multi-year integration of a GIS work-order and asset-management system and a professional-development program for staff that includes personality assessments and one-on-one coaching.

Council discussion was minimal and focused on appreciation for behind-the-scenes work for large events and the department’s maintenance of downtown landscaping and school-zone signals. Jay displayed photographs of recent repairs and projects, including sidewalk and drainage work, bridge replacement at Lake Forest Park and cemetery work.

The council did not take formal action on the report; the presentation was informational.