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Parks and Recreation budgets playgrounds, pool slide, ADA upgrades and seeks federal grant for Hampton Pines
Summary
Parks and Recreation highlighted small operating changes and a list of capital projects including playground replacements, a pool water slide, Highland Park restroom replacement and a $3 million Hampton Pines grant project that requires a 50% city match.
Parks and Recreation Director Patrick Kan presented the department's 2026 budget proposal on Sept. 12, stressing continued program delivery with a few targeted capital projects and modest operating changes.
Patrick said the department will maintain core services such as athletics, youth programming, summer camps and partnerships with local schools and nonprofits. Operating changes included a small promotional-events adjustment and an added scholarship/voucher program to help low-income residents afford youth athletics and childcare. He also noted a 5% contract increase for the aquatics management contractor and that swim-safety instruction remains a priority.
On capital improvements, Kan listed several projects in the proposed budget: playground replacement in District D; a replacement for a previously removed pool water slide (staff said the earlier slide cracked and the city is budgeting funds to find a certified installer); renovations tied to a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for Landings Park (staff described that as a roughly $3 million project); replacement of the Highland Park restroom building and enhancements to Coral Isles Field Park tied to CDBG; and a Top Park playground and surfacing replacement. Director Kan also said the city has applied for a $3 million Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for Hampton Pines Park that requires a 50% local match (he said the city's share would be about $1.5 million).
Kan said Highland Park's renovated soccer fields are now available to the public when not in use for league play and highlighted recent partnerships with nonprofits that helped deliver events with strong community participation.
Commissioners asked about schedules and funding; Kan said many projects are at design or grant-application stages and that some construction could begin in the new fiscal year depending on procurement timelines and grant decisions.
