Stonecrest staff outlines FY25 parks master-plan projects including Carrington and Salem updates

City staff presented a consolidated list of anticipated FY25 park projects to the TIPS Committee, describing design, construction and funding status for several park sites, including Carrington Park, Salem Park and the Southeast Athletic Complex.

“Most of these projects were funded in previous years,” the project presenter told the committee, explaining that many items listed as FY25 master-plan projects reflect money carried over or savings from 2023–24 capital-improvement appropriations.

At Carrington Park, staff said design of the lower-deck parking area is complete but requires a council-level change order to relocate a sewer line from adjacent apartments across the proposed parking lot into the park to avoid later demolition of new construction. Staff said the perimeter fencing will be replaced and interior fencing removed, and that outdoor exercise equipment and an additional children’s play area (built to Salem Park specifications) are planned. Staff described a gazebo to be built to Salem Park specifications with electrical receptacles and fans; plans also include a basketball court at the lower deck, resurfacing of the upper-deck parking lot (to be rebid in 2025) and new trail segments to be constructed together with Salem Park to secure a single contractor.

Staff described Browns Mill/Brownsmith plans to add offices and a dividable classroom (presenter cited a classroom size concept up to 40 feet, with $800,000 noted as a budget placeholder). The design RFP will include civil work and site survey. The project scope also includes adding at least two new outdoor pickleball courts (bringing a minimum total to four outdoor courts when combined with earlier additions), two to three offices for program staff, and a flexible classroom separated by a movable divider.

Restroom renovation work was described for the aquatic center and at a basketball/football field facility; staff said they are awaiting contractor pricing and will bring a construction contract to council when bids are in. Parking-lot resurfacing projects were described for multiple parks; staff said earlier contract issues required rebidding and that some lot gates discussed for Brownsville parking will be included.

Salem Park work described includes sanitary-sewer-line extension design (an engineering firm has been selected), a gazebo bid package, and trail construction to be combined with Carrington Park’s trails. One committee member raised safety and durability concerns about rubberized surfacing at playgrounds, citing incidents elsewhere where rubber materials were burned; staff acknowledged the concern and said specifications and placement would be reviewed.

The presenter described Southeast Athletic Complex work as progressing: a maintenance facility is complete, parking-lot construction was being bid, and restroom buildings are near completion with metal roofing to be installed; staff suggested a ribbon-cutting could be scheduled in July. Staff also said they plan to televise (camera-inspect) sanitary lines from the new southeast restroom to the existing plumbing run to identify blockages or defects prior to opening.

Several items described are at design stage only and will return to council for contract approval when pricing and change orders are ready. Staff said a pending change order for Carrington Park’s sewer relocation will be presented to council for approval before construction begins.