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Parks Department outlines 2024 accomplishments and multi-year capital plan, requests one new coordinator position
Summary
Sedalia Parks Department reviewed 2024 activity numbers and presented a multi-year capital and maintenance plan including Memory Lane outdoor aquatics (opening 2026), Liberty Stadium improvements, new playgrounds and trail improvements; staff requested one new full-time coordinator position in next fiscal year.
Parks Director (presenting) summarized accomplishments and projects for the Parks Department during the Jan. 13 Sedalia City Council meeting, and outlined a three- to ten-year capital and program plan.
Director's report: the department reported a long list of 2024 activity and participation figures: 25 new light displays added to the Light Up Liberty annual event; certification of 151 lifeguards; more than 1,093 baseball/softball games played; 3,98 swim-lesson participants and more than 23,000 walk-ins at the Hecker Community Center. The department also reported $71,000 in sponsorships and roughly $19,000 in donations for parks programs.
Staffing and budget pressures: the director told the council the parks operation employs 34 full-time staff and more than 100 part-time seasonal employees (summer peak estimated at 180-200 part-time workers by hours). A minimum-wage increase of $1.45 will raise personnel costs by more than $100,000 in the next fiscal year, and the director said staff are researching fee adjustments and budget offsets; the department requested adding one full-time coordinator position in the next fiscal year to manage programs and training.
Capital projects and timeline: the presentation described several projects and estimated timelines: - Katy Park playground completion expected by end of FY 2025 (construction ongoing). - Liberty Stadium improvements expected completed March 1 (grant-funded work under way). - Memory Lane outdoor aquatics (design phase) scheduled to open fall 2026; a larger outdoor aquatics facility planned for 2027. - Longer-term goals (3-10 years) include a bark park, splash pad and pickleball courts, additional playgrounds, maintenance shop, expanded LED lighting and trail connections to achieve a 10-minute walk-to-park goal.
Why it matters: the parks department ties programming and capital improvements to quality-of-life, tourism and community health. The director said ongoing collaboration with Public Works has helped complete drainage and parking work and reduced contracting costs.
Council response: council members asked about specific park improvements (shade at Hubbard Park seating) and thanked staff for programming. No formal council vote was required for the informational presentation; the department noted several budgeted rollover projects that may appear in the next fiscal budget adoption.
