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City staff to combine competing downtown park plans; recreation commission meeting to be scheduled
Summary
City staff told council Stantec will produce a composite map combining two competing downtown plans for Pocahontas Park; the city budget includes money this fiscal year to replace playground equipment and staff will schedule the Recreation Commission to review options before ordering equipment.
Councilmember Carroll requested an update on downtown revitalization and Pocahontas Park. City staff said they, consultant Stantec, and recreation staff have met and are preparing a composite drawing that overlays the DPZ (Duany/PZB/DPZ) plan and the Robin Polanski plan so the city and Recreation Commission can see both designs side‑by‑side.
Staff said the composite drawing and the five‑year downtown action plan and CIP are expected to be completed in the current fiscal year, with the consultant’s deliverable targeted for the first quarter of next year and review by the Recreation Commission and council in the spring. The city budget included funds this fiscal year to replace playground equipment inside the Pocahontas Park fence; staff said they will not order equipment before the Recreation Commission reviews options and council priorities.
Why it matters: councilors and residents have raised questions about the park’s design and accessible features. Councilmember Carroll and others requested that the Recreation Commission examine playground choices — including accessible play equipment — before staff purchases materials.
Ending: Staff said they will schedule a Recreation Commission meeting to review the composite plan and playground equipment options and return recommendations to council for budgeting in the following fiscal year.
