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Parks officials promise more project managers as many park projects move toward construction
Summary
Parks staff told the council that several park projects are nearing construction, the department is adding project managers to clear backlogs, and highlighted specific projects including McKinney, Ringer Park and Ross Playground improvements.
Parks Department leaders told the City Council committee on April 17 that a cluster of park projects are advancing and the department will add project managers to reduce a backlog of design and construction work.
“We're soliciting design firms…we'll be selecting a design firm that meets the needs of the community to work with” on Mowgli Park connectors and other projects, Parks Capital Plan director Kathy Bakerie Klipsch said during the hearing. Park officials said several projects are at different stages — some ready to bid, some in design, and some in construction — and they are trying to move more projects into construction this year.
What’s moving: The parks presentation and subsequent Q&A listed completed and in-progress park projects across the city, including Harambee Park Phase 4, Copley Square Park (in progress), Clifford Playground (funding increase discussed earlier in council remarks), Ringer Playground (grant-funded and expected to bid this fiscal year), and McKinney (design and construction funding requested). Kathy Bakerie Klipsch said the department planned to try to make progress this year on Town Field (design) and other community-flagged sites.
Capacity issue: Interim Parks Commissioner Liza Meyer and other officials said staffing shortages in project management had delayed some projects, and the department is bringing on at least two new project managers and expects more hires to help move longstanding projects such as Rogers Park and Penimen forward.
Community requests and equity: Councilors pressed for attention to neighborhood priorities including accessibility fixes at Healy Playground, upgrades at Ross Playground in Hyde Park, and maintenance needs at newly built parks. Parks officials said they are coordinating with community groups and other city agencies on acquisition options for new parkland in underserved areas such as Mount Hope.
What to watch: Parks officials said they will return to councils with more specific schedules once design contracts are awarded and the new project managers are onboarded; councilors asked for follow-up on timelines for construction starts on projects that have been in planning for years.
