Parks and Recreation staff delivered the department’s annual report, outlining personnel, budgets, capital projects completed under the Norman Forward program and planned projects. Jason (Parks staff) and division managers reviewed administrative functions, park maintenance, facility maintenance, recreation programming, park development and neighborhood park funding.

Staff reported the department employed 107 people across divisions. Park maintenance manages 68 park sites and 37 other municipal locations, with 55 playgrounds in the system; that division listed a $4,500,000 operating budget funded by the city’s general fund. Facility maintenance manager Lance Harper said his division has 11 employees (including electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians) and is prioritizing HVAC and roof replacements; he and staff described using capital set-asides to shift from patch repairs to full replacements. Lance and Jason described a capital maintenance allocation that the city adjusted to about 7% of capital project funds to support building upkeep and emergency repairs.

Staff reviewed many Norman Forward capital projects: William Morgan playground (contract awarded earlier by council), Saxon Park nearing 90–95% design, neighborhood park renovations (Links Park and others), Rees Park restroom and maintenance building work, Westwood tennis improvements and new lighted pickleball courts at the Young Family Athletic Center (WIFAC). Park Development staff summarized the parkland dedication ordinance (established 1976), current fee structure (about $150 per dwelling unit split across neighborhood/community allocations), and limits and exceptions for fee-in-lieu and private park options. Managers noted that actual playground construction costs have risen—staff cited an approximate $700,000 figure for a contractor-built playground and estimated the Miracle Field at Rees Park could cost $750,000–$1,000,000 depending on final design and materials.

Division managers highlighted programming and events: the Young Family Athletic Center hosts basketball, volleyball and regional tournaments; the Westwood Family Aquatic Center and golf operations were described as special-revenue activities; staff also showcased a drone show added to Winter Fest and plans for the daddy-daughter dance at WIFAC on Feb. 1. Park Development noted occasional developer noncompliance with private-park commitments and said legal follow-up is sometimes needed. Managers emphasized maintenance funding constraints, typical playground lifespans (recommended replacement every 15 years), and increasing costs for shade structures and replacement parts. Staff answered board questions about warranties, maintenance cycles and funding sources for matches on construction grants.