Board reviews park projects and budget: Sherman border, Goldman turf, Douglas splash pad and Doleman repairs

The Middletown Park Board on Feb. 10 received project and budget updates covering Sherman, Goldman, Douglas and Doleman parks and discussed funding available for current and future work.

Sherman Park

Staff reported that a metal border for the recently installed synthetic surface at Sherman Park will be installed this week to secure the edge of the rubberized court surface. The board discussed sign placement and the timing of a planned retaining-wall removal tied to a broader paving project that will run into 2026. Board members asked staff to coordinate sign placement with planned grading and retaining-wall removal to avoid rework. The group also discussed potential lighting for park assets and asked staff to consult the police department on recommended lit areas before design and contractor quotes.

Goldman Park and turf

The board reviewed follow-up work at Goldman Park. Staff said Henderson provided a pricing estimate to install turf (discussed in the meeting as about $3,200 for the installation tied to a 3,200-square unit estimate) and that city crews would do grading and site prep where feasible. One board member and staff discussed installing sod in March as an alternative in some areas to avoid intensive watering. Board members flagged a corner near the slide where surfacing extends only five feet and asked staff to consider extending the safety zone when surfacing work is completed.

Doleman building and repairs

Staff reported a contractor is lined up to replace the Doleman building roof, with a quote discussed in the meeting of about $29,000 including new gutters and minor repairs. Staff also reported smaller interior quotes for electrical work (about $1,700) and noted challenges finding general contractors willing to do smaller municipal jobs because of prevailing-wage and bonding requirements; staff expect to piece work out with separate trade quotes.

Douglas Park splash pad

A consultant is preparing a specifications package for a Douglas Park splash pad; staff hope to issue procurement documents by March and complete the splash pad installation by July 4. The plan calls for removal of the old concrete slab, pouring a new slab, placing a new splash pad just south of the existing one and potentially using the existing mechanical room for new equipment.

Budget and funding

Staff said that at the start of the year the parks program had $1,032,056.96 remaining from a $2,000,000 allocation. City Council added $200,000 to the parks budget for 2025, and Douglas Park is budgeted at $500,000 from that pool. After accounting for Douglas the staff reported an available balance of roughly $732,056.96 to apply to remaining planned projects. Separately, the park impact fee account holds approximately $160,000; staff noted those funds are restricted to buying new parkland or capital improvements at existing parks and are not available for routine maintenance.

Other items

- Sherman: staff said the new basketball-court border is a four-inch metal track to allow expansion and movement and that the ordered materials were delayed earlier in the project. - Cameras and lighting: staff said they have access to at least one camera covering the Wayne-side playground area and that police/IT may have additional cameras the parks team does not see. The board asked staff to coordinate with the police and electronics maintenance division on lighting design and camera placement. - Funding strategy: Staff said they will continue to seek contractors and multiple quotes, and will approach City Council during the 2026 budget cycle if the board identifies projects requiring additional capital.

What’s next

Staff will continue procurement for the Douglas splash pad, schedule the Doleman roof work when weather permits, finish Goldman grading and surfacing work, and return to the board with refined contractor estimates and a project priority list for use in upcoming budget discussions.