Bullhead City Parks report lists $3.4 million in capital projects; commission approves minutes and reelects officers

The Bullhead City Parks and Recreation Commission on July 16 heard a staff report laying out capital projects funded in the city's newly adopted fiscal-year budget and a schedule of summer programs, and the commission approved routine actions including minutes and officer appointments.

The rundown of capital improvement projects and equipment purchases was given by Dave, a parks and recreation staff member, who said the city council approved the budget last month and the department began implementation July 1. "The budget was approved by city council, last month and it, we started on that budget in, on July 1," Dave told the commission. He listed projects and equipment that the department expects to begin this year.

The largest single line item announced was $1,215,267 for a restroom at Community Park, which Dave said will include a lift station. Other named projects and equipment in the report included: a $500,000 joint-use replacement and expansion of athletic fields and parking at Bullhead City Middle School; $400,000 for a permanent restroom at the north end of Veterans Park; $270,000 for a restroom at the UTV/ATV trailhead; $150,000 for artificial turf at Ken Favard Park; $150,000 for parking-lot lights at Rotary Park; $100,000 in catchall funds for miscellaneous community park improvements and another $100,000 for Rotary Park catchall work; a $100,000 landscape dump truck; $70,000 for a generator trailer and a $70,000 skid steer; $50,000 for new warning-track sand at ballfields; and smaller equipment purchases including a $45,000 replacement truck for park rangers, a $45,000 automated field-painting machine and a $20,500 field groomer. Dave said design work for the Community Park restroom has begun and some construction will start this year.

Dave also described ongoing recreation programs and one-off events: free and low-cost senior slow-pitch softball and horseshoe play, multiple open and indoor pickleball sessions run with the Bullhead City Pickleball Club, indoor walking hours at the Optimum Community Center, youth "Fun Friday" activities that often sell out, a free Detective Pikachu watch party July 18, and a larger outdoor Splash Bash event at Ken Favard Park on July 26 with open swim, water slides and free hamburgers while supplies last. He said volunteers are welcome from Bullhead City and neighboring communities and announced a volunteer fair July 29 at the council chambers.

Public comment before the report included Harvey Pryor, who identified himself as representing Bullhead RC and thanked the city for a ribbon-cutting at the racetrack. "That was very beautiful. It's to me, it's just a dream come true," Pryor said, and promoted a July 26 oval race at Rotary Park Raceway.

The commission asked operational questions about how work would affect park access during construction and whether volunteers must be city residents. Dave said crews will use temporary fencing and aim to limit closures, and that volunteers may come from outside Bullhead City. "Whenever something's being done, we've got to make it safe as we possibly can," he said.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes: The commission moved to approve the Feb. 19, 2025 regular meeting minutes. Vote: 4 in favor, motion carries. (Motion and second not specified in the transcript.)

- Chairperson appointment: The commission voted to continue Chairperson Heather in her role for the 2025-26 fiscal year in accordance with section 102 of the commission bylaws. Vote: 4 in favor, motion carries. (Mover and second not specified.)

- Vice chair appointment: The commission voted to reelect Vice Chair Kenya for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Vote: 4 in favor, motion carries. (Mover and second not specified.)

That concluded the meeting.