Committee debates parks capital slate; splash pad and pickleball draw biggest pushback

City staff and aldermen debated multiple parks capital requests on Aug. 26 as part of the 2026 capital fund review, with the splash pad, pickleball courts and trail maintenance prompting the most discussion.

Scott (staff) presented the parks packet and said the top requests included maintenance for ballfields and turf, a splash pad at Vets Park and a new pickleball complex planned for 2027. He also noted two late additions: a trail design request related to a We Energies corridor and a trail maintenance line item.

Splash pad: two options and timing

Staff presented two splash‑pad cost options for 2026: an $800,000 configuration that includes two heated restrooms for year‑round access and full mechanical systems, and a $500,000 configuration without built restrooms (a vault toilet instead). The higher option would include utilities (electric, water, storm/sanitary as needed) and the lower option would limit on‑site restroom construction.

Aldermen expressed the splash pad is a community “want” rather than a near‑term need given competing priorities. One alderman said it should be deferred: "I feel like it's definitely a want. It's not a need," he said. Another asked for operating and maintenance cost estimates; staff said they had requested recurring maintenance quotes from vendors but did not yet have annual maintenance figures. Insurance and potential seasonal staff needs were raised; staff said routine operations for a splash pad can be low‑staff if designed to be push‑button activated, but that insurance and vendor maintenance costs would apply. The committee signaled a preference to defer the splash pad from 2026 to 2028 for further budget consideration.

Pickleball courts and partnerships

A request for a 12‑court pickleball complex was shown for 2027. A private pickleball group previously pledged $300,000 toward the project; earlier plans for a larger 16‑court facility had been scaled back. Staff said the planned site would reuse existing parking at Moreland Park and avoid a new parking lot and that Moreland would also receive a pavilion with restrooms in a related 2027 item.

Council and public comments showed mixed views: some residents and aldermen favor a municipal facility; others worried about converting school courts and about neighborhood noise and traffic near Moreland Park. Staff noted that the outdoor municipal program currently generates roughly $40,000 per year from pickleball activity and that a private operator could supplant that revenue if a private facility were built in town.

Trails and maintenance

A $25,000 placeholder for trail maintenance was discussed. Staff said they will perform PASER‑style ratings on trails this fall (concurrent with road PASER ratings) and return with a prioritized maintenance plan and cost estimates. A number of aldermen urged tying trail work into road projects to gain contractor economies of scale where feasible. One alderman asked to delay formal funding until staff completes the fall rating and returns with a report.

Other park items

- Park Arthur: annual turf maintenance and replacement fund. Staff reported Park Arthur generates about $65,000 a year in use fees; that fund is being built to pay for turf replacement (estimated replacement cost for Fields 1–3 roughly $350,000 if replaced together in the future) and to offset routine maintenance.

- Boat ramp dredging (Late to Noon launch): staff proposed about $135,000 in 2026 for dredging around the city‑owned launch to improve boat access; design and permitting work is underway.

- Dog park and other small capital: committee verbally agreed to defer a proposed dog park capital item from 2026 to 2028 rather than remove it from the five‑year plan.

What the committee decided

The committee did not finalize a vote on the splash pad; members indicated a preference to defer the splash pad discussion into later budget work sessions (one alderman suggested moving it to 2028). The dog park capital line was deferred to 2028. Staff will return with trail PASER ratings and more detailed maintenance estimates as requested.

Quotes

"This is definitely a want. It's not a need," an alderman said about the splash pad, adding that the city’s funding choices should prioritize public safety and roads. Scott (staff) said the splash pad was the top public parks request in recent surveys and that the decision is one of priorities.

Provenance: Parks capital discussion, parks items and splash pad debate occurred in the 2026 capital fund review portion of the Aug. 26 meeting.