Lebanon parks staff outline spring construction, recent property purchases and summer staffing plans

Lebanon — Parks staff on Wednesday told the Lebanon Board of Park Commissioners that multiple trail and park construction projects are set to move into spring and summer work, that the department has secured two recently purchased properties for demolition, and that hiring and event planning are under way for the 2025 season.

The updates, delivered by Kevin Krolick and by a parks director identified as John during the meeting, covered Forti Street and Witt Road trail connections, progress at the Stone Eater Bike Park, pickleball courts, the Big 4 Trailhead, a fishing pier railing installation, and demolition plans for two properties near Abner Longley Park. “A lot going on, although it’s kind of that weird time of year when we had a real winter this year, so things really slowed down,” Kevin Krolick said as he opened the project update.

Why it matters: the items announced affect parking, trails and recreation access across Lebanon and include near-term construction schedules and funding requests that will come before the City Council. Several projects are weather- or approval-dependent and some will not reach construction for multiple years.

Key project timelines and funding - Forti Street: Krolick said work is scheduled to start in March and will include a north-side trail that will connect East Street to the new Central Elementary; crews are finishing utility relocations. - Witt Road: the environmental study phase is wrapping up; staff expect right-of-way or easement work (“bridge/right-of-way buying”) in May, but Krolick said construction is not scheduled until 2026–27 pending final approvals. - Big 4 Trailhead (Sam Ralston Road): scheduled for construction and completion by July, with lighting being added; staff said a contractor schedule was not yet available. - Fishing pier: railing fabricator has invoiced and begun fabrication; staff hope installation next month if weather permits, including ADA-accessible rails. - Pickleball courts at Memorial Park: construction is planned for spring; Krolick said a supplemental appropriation from food-and-beverage funds will be on the City Council agenda Monday. The contractual completion date listed by staff is July 1. - Stone Eater Bike Park: staff will make corrections to an information kiosk and reported outreach by a park designer to Trek bicycles for potential sponsorship and donations. Multiple summer events are planned with groups of varying sizes.

Recent grants and maintenance funding - Krolick reported Discover Boone County will grant $25,000 this spring to address trail maintenance and loose gravel on cross-country trails. He also said American Rescue Plan funds have paid for some lighting purchases.

Property purchases and demolition - Parks staff reported the department has completed purchase of the former EnviroChem building on Thompson Street adjacent to Abner Longley Park and a separate property on Beck Street. John said demolition bids are being prepared and demolition work is expected to follow; a funding request to finalize one demolition contract will appear on the City Council agenda Monday.

Operations, staffing and programming - The parks director summarized winter maintenance (snow removal, restroom upkeep, brush and trash pickup) and equipment work, and said playground repairs and inspections are complete. Staff reported hiring activity for Seashore Waterpark and seasonal pool staff: open interviews had strong turnout, and the department expects to hire for 17 summer positions and to certify lifeguards in-house. John said two maintenance technician positions are in second-round interviews with the goal of filling them by March. - Rees Park lift station work is delayed by freezing weather; staff said they are coordinating to provide fields for youth soccer, which begins April 17, while seeding and finishing work complete.

Event feedback and camping notes - Krolick said event feedback for Stone Eater Bike Park was positive; organizers asked staff to try to leave a section of trails open during multi-day events so the public can still use portions of the park. On camping at race events, staff said they allow limited pavement camping and have performed ambient air sampling over former landfill areas and did not detect methane; league organizers are exploring nearby campgrounds and group rates.

Votes at a glance: minutes, claims and adjournment - Approval of minutes: motion made and seconded; voice vote; outcome: motion carried. - Approval of claims: motion made and seconded; voice vote; outcome: motion carried. - Motion to adjourn: motion made and seconded; voice vote; outcome: motion carried.

What’s next: staff said several items will return to the City Council for funding actions (pickleball supplemental appropriation, demolition funding) and that some projects (Witt Road) require further environmental approvals before construction. Parks staff emphasized that many spring schedules remain weather-dependent and that staff will provide follow-up scheduling and contractor timelines when available.