Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Sustainability topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board discusses long-term parks sustainability, fees, grants, playground replacements and community concerns
Summary
The board discussed a long-term sustainability initiative prompted by the mayor, covering potential fee changes, use of bed-tax revenue, outreach and marketing, playground replacement schedules, a tree-planting return, a transparency dashboard for capital projects, and pending grants for tennis repairs.
Board members and staff discussed a mayoral request to brainstorm long-term sustainability ideas for parks and recreation, including potential revenue options and fee changes.
Director Matt Khater said the department maintains 109 parks across about 1,700 acres, operates downtown and beach maintenance year-round, and is reviewing fee structures for rec centers and athletic-field rentals. He said parks staff are reviewing profit-and-loss statements and benchmarking fees against other communities. Staff also noted bed taxes collected at the county level help fund Tourist Development Council grants that support sports and visitor-related projects.
Board members asked about online marketing and public communications; staff said a Moccasin Lake Park video posted on the City of Clearwater Facebook page was an example of new marketing efforts. Staff said a new capital-improvement dashboard on myclearwater.com will launch in one to two months to allow public quarterly updates on project status across departments.
Several facility and program updates were discussed: a tree-planting program resumes with 14 new trees at Delaware Park; the Long Center natatorium will have pool surfacing and other repairs; a recent cleanup removed 120 cubic yards of debris from parkland north of Enterprise; and McMullen Tennis Complex work may be reimbursed by a U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) grant — staff stated an amount of $40,000 regarding that application, and said work already completed likely will be reimbursed either through FEMA or the grant.
Board members raised neighborhood concerns: playground replacement schedules (a spreadsheet tracks installation and replacement dates), safety concerns at Countryside Rec Center playground (requests to inspect see-saws and under‑5 climbing options), Woodgate Park field condition and infield pests, and the possible demolition of a water tower near Kings Highway Rec Center with no current plan for the site. Members were encouraged to visit local parks, solicit resident input, and speak at budget hearings to advocate for parks funding. Staff said the department will share the playground spreadsheet with board members.
