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Parks department reports winter maintenance, playground and pool staffing updates, and training
Summary
Parks staff reviewed winter operations across city properties, reported playground and pool equipment work, lifeguard certification activity and hiring plans, and described slowdowns at Rees Park due to freezing weather.
Parks staff delivered a consolidated operations update covering winter maintenance, staff training, playground repairs and pool staffing plans.
Staff reported plowing and salting, shelter and restroom maintenance, removal of Christmas decorations, routine trash collection and brush removal across parks including Memorial Park, Abner Longley Park, Stoneater Bike Park, Rees Park, Rolling Meadows and Kitty Park. Staff said new playground equipment installed in November has held up and that a slide replacement was inspected and certified by a playground inspector; staff thanked the Kiwanis Club for contributing substantial funding to that project.
The department described pool‑related work: replacement of umbrella arms and concession countertops later this month, and supervisory training. Thomas Ingalls completed a recertification for lifeguard instructor duties and is scheduled to hold two separate lifeguard certification classes for applicants. Staff said open interviews for the 2025 Seashore Waterpark season had strong turnout and that they expect to fill two positions by March. The parks superintendent said the city added one employee last year to support operations after the addition of Stoneater.
Rees Park work and the associated lift station were delayed by freezing weather; staff said they expect the soccer program to begin April 17 and are aiming for a May completion on lift station work but noted weather has held up progress. Staff described cross‑training with the Department of Public Works and safety training supported by Lebanon utilities and by a training session from AMPA; utilities covered the cost for some training.
Ending: Staff said hiring, cross‑training and planned repairs should help the department manage a busy spring season; specific hiring dates and completion dates were given as targets rather than guarantees.
