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Parks & Recreation previews Hoops Park rehab, scoreboard questions and parking concerns
Summary
Parks and Recreation reported a planned Hoops Park court rehabilitation with six to eight weeks of downtime, discussed programming revenue splits and a benefactor-funded scoreboard for Farley Field, and raised recurring park parking challenges.
Parks and Recreation reported on upcoming facility work and programming matters, including a substantial rehabilitation of the Hoops Park courts and ongoing concerns about parking at borough parks.
Keith, the Parks and Recreation presenter, said the Hoops Park racket center rehabilitation will require a minimum 28-day concrete curing period plus additional temperature-based curing steps; in a best-case timeline staff estimated 6 to 8 weeks of downtime before the facility could be used. He asked staff to direct questions about scheduling to him and noted contractors or weather could extend the timeline.
Keith also described Parks’ standard program revenue split with third-party instructors and organizers: the instructor/organizer typically receives 80% and the borough retains 20% to cover registrations and facility use. A single invoice for three seasons to a pickleball program pushed payment over the $10,000 statutory threshold and drew council attention because the lump sum required council action.
The adult baseball league told council it plans to purchase a scoreboard and will own and maintain it; council discussed electricity and suggested considering solar power as an option. Lillian DeBaptiste, speaking as a resident and community advocate, said a donor should not automatically gain ownership of borough property (the scoreboard and dugouts) and recommended clarifying ownership and maintenance responsibilities.
Multiple presenters and councilmembers raised ongoing parking problems at borough parks, particularly at Everhart Park and other popular photo locations; staff said most routine park programming is on weekends when enforcement is limited and parking demand can exceed available spaces. Parks staff said they are willing to work with schools and event organizers to coordinate special events and parking plans.
Next steps: Parks staff will provide permit guidance for scoreboard installations, explore solar-power options, coordinate with leagues on electricity and maintenance responsibilities, and work with Ramsey and other staff on longer-term parking strategies for the parks system.
