Clinton RAP Tax committee outlines $231,000 first-year plan, recommends dog park and shade projects

The Clinton Recreation-Arts-Parks (RAP) Tax Committee on Aug. 26 presented survey results and a preliminary spending plan that would allocate roughly $231,000 in the committee’s first-year recommendations, including a proposed dog park, shade structures at parks, programming and a $75,000 contribution toward the Clinton Pond pump track project.

The committee’s presentation, led by committee member Terry Tremea, summarized outreach done at community events and via a suggestion box; Tremea said the committee received 132 community suggestions and that the top requests were a splash pad, a recreation center and more shade. “I was pleasantly surprised when I saw a 132 suggestions,” Tremea said during the presentation.

The committee proposed several near-term and longer-term priorities. Near-term ideas include installing shade canopies and dugout-style shades at playgrounds (the committee cited state-contracted bids, which included a $217,000 quote to cover Civic Center playground), smaller shade canopies estimated at about $17,000 each for placement across parks, and composite benches/swings along trails. For a dog park the committee discussed multiple potential locations — strips near Civic Center, a parcel adjacent to existing parking, and a larger portion of Kestrel Park — and listed design elements it would require: six-foot fencing, a double-entry gate, maintenance access, water stations and cleanup stations. Committee members said a quoted build for a large, premium dog park approached $500,000 and that the committee was reluctant to pursue that option without neighborhood outreach and other funding options.

For programming and events, the committee proposed modest annual allocations (for example, $5,000 to bring guest speakers and monthly events) and recommended setting aside 20% of annual RAP revenues as a rollover fund to accumulate toward larger capital items. The committee also proposed a $75,000 pledge to support the Clinton Pond pump track project, and recommended signage to note RAP tax sponsorship of funded projects.

Council members and staff questioned timelines and affordability for larger items. Council member Gary Tyler and others cautioned that a full indoor recreation center would be a multimillion‑dollar project and likely require regional partners or bonding; Tyler provided examples of recent regional rec centers with multi‑million dollar price tags. Several council members expressed support for using RAP funds for “quick wins” — visible, relatively low-cost projects (shade structures, dog park, signage, small trail amenities) — to demonstrate community benefit while accruing rollover funds for longer-term goals. Staff reported unaudited RAP-tax receipts at roughly $256,000 to date.

The committee said it would refine its bylaws and priorities, gather cost breakdowns for splash pads and other large items, continue neighborhood outreach for dog‑park site selection, and return to the council with more detailed cost estimates and recommendations. Committee members also suggested attending a council work session in September to continue the discussion and provide more detailed breakdowns.

The presentation did not include a council vote; council members asked staff and the committee to return with more detailed cost estimates, potential phasing options for Pond Park improvements, and a clearly articulated recommendation for how much to set aside annually for rollover funds.

Tremea said the committee’s work remains a “work in progress” and encouraged continued public input as they finalize bylaws and funding recommendations.