Yakima City staff presented the department’s 2025 parks capital priorities on Jan. 8, highlighting continued work on the Martin Luther King Jr. Aquatic Center, a pedestrian-bridge replacement at West Valley Community Park, security and storage upgrades at Kiwanis Park Gateway Sports Complex, a needed renovation of the Miller Park spray park, irrigation upgrades at the Harmon Center, and a planned replacement of the Elks Park playground.

Parks staff reported the Martin Luther King Jr. Aquatic Center remains one of the department’s largest projects. “Our donors have just given so much money. I think we're at $3,400,000 plus in donations out of this community to build this facility,” Parks and Recreation Manager Ken (last name not specified) said. Staff said the pool contractor is working inside the building on plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems, and the department expects to plan a ribbon-cutting around Memorial Day with public opening shortly after, provided permits and change orders do not delay work.

Funding for the aquatic center is a mix of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, county contributions, state grants from the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Recreation and Conservation Office, and private donations. Staff cautioned that large municipal construction projects typically have change orders and said they were monitoring budget risk.

The West Valley Community Park pedestrian bridge project is funded by a Washington State Department of Transportation grant and remains at the design stage. Staff said the planned bridge will be about 85 feet long and 10 feet wide with asphalt approaches that connect the park to the neighborhood north of Nob Hill; HLA provided 60% drawings that staff will review before permitting and construction.

At Kiwanis Park Gateway Sports Complex staff described recurring break-ins at the facility’s older storage building and proposed a new three-bay steel storage building on a concrete floor inside a fenced area. An early budgetary quote for a 30x40 three-bay steel building was about $72,000; staff said the department had budgeted about $80,000 for the project. Staff said the city has experienced thefts, including an ATV, and wants a more secure storage solution.

The Miller Park spray park, about 20 years old, needs renovation because parts are no longer obtainable and the equipment has sustained vandalism. Staff said if the city does not refurbish or replace the system in 2025, the spray park may not be operable. An Elks Park playground replacement is on the plan; staff estimated a replacement at roughly $150,000 and said the department typically seeks partner funding that could cover about half the cost.

Irrigation upgrades at the Harmon Center and other locations will use remaining REIT dollars where available; staff noted REIT revenues are lower than expected this year and that project timing or scope could change. Staff also described using variable frequency drives (VFDs) on pumps that detect breaks and shut down to prevent flooding.

Staff described design and security features for multiple projects — alarms tied to monitoring companies, improved lighting, fencing, and audible alarms — while noting no single measure is completely foolproof. The department plans to seek permitting and begin construction on several projects in 2025, contingent on permit approvals and available funds.

No formal votes were taken on the capital projects list at the Jan. 8 meeting; staff presented updates and requested continued commission input and public awareness of fundraising opportunities.