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Parks director highlights program growth, new community and senior center in 2024 annual report
Summary
Parks Director Linda Narstel told the Public Improvements Committee that 2024 saw record attendance at special events, completion of a new community and senior center, a new pickleball complex and playground improvements, and growing program demand that will drive future capital and staffing needs.
Parks Director Linda Narstel presented the Parks and Recreation Department’s 2024 annual report to the Public Improvements Committee on Jan. 23, outlining facility upgrades, program growth and remaining infrastructure needs.
Narstel told committee members the department completed several capital projects last year, including opening the new community and senior center, adding a pickleball complex, and replacing a playground surface at Adele Durbin Park. She said attendance at department events rose, with record numbers reported for Summer Sunset Blast, the Bunny Trail Hop, the Haunted Hayride and Glow With Stowe.
Narstel emphasized program demand: a “New Year, New Beginnings” seniors event drew 140 people in the first week after the center opened, and bingo attracted about 70 participants on a warm weekday during the week covered in her report. The department also replaced 26 trash cans, more than 20 picnic tables and some small bleachers in 2024 as part of ongoing maintenance and wayfinding improvements, she said.
Narstel listed challenges: aging infrastructure and staffing constraints made it difficult to meet rising demand for programs and large special events, she said. The department is planning next-phase campground improvements and the next round of playground and surface replacements; a splash-pad project is under discussion for a possible 2026 funding target. She also said the department hopes to order a replacement bus this year.
Committee members commended the report and the community response to the new facilities. Council asked about the future use of the old senior center building (the director said it is under consideration for rental or program use tied to a possible splash-pad location) and whether pickleball facilities would need additional courts; Narstel said the city will monitor use and can adjust programming and court availability over the coming seasons.
The committee received the report and asked staff to continue to identify funding options for infrastructure projects and to provide updates as capital projects move from planning to construction.
Quotes in this story are taken from the Jan. 23 Public Improvements Committee meeting transcript and staff presentation.
