Don Colvin, deputy director and board advisor, introduced a proposal from Victory College Prep on May 20 seeking board advice to proceed with a conceptual plan to add a new entrance, formalize parking use, and pursue shared‑use arrangements at Stanley Strader Park (formerly Bethel Park).

Luke Karen, chief operating officer of Victory College Prep, said the school serves about 1,100 students and plans to use the facility as a high school campus. Karen said the purchaser discovered a corner of the school building encroaches on park land and that Victory seeks formal approval to proceed with a survey, address the encroachment easement and build a curb cut and entrance on park property. Karen said Victory would pay for all proposed improvements and for required permitting, including a road‑cut permit from the Department of Public Works and any necessary drainage work; he emphasized the school’s intent that “there’s no cost to the city.”

Board discussion focused on parking, shared field use and neighborhood engagement. Board members noted the parking lot historically has been shared with whichever adjacent school occupied the building and that the new curb cut could improve access for evening and weekend park users while also improving bus staging for school arrival and dismissal. A board member emphasized the need to “be really clear about use of the football, or other grounds,” and multiple members urged Victory and staff to engage the neighborhood before significant design or survey expenditures.

Outcome and next steps: The board did not take a formal vote but gave an advisory green/yellow response: staff said they were seeking a “yellow light” to recommend that Victory proceed to legal review, surveying, permitting and community engagement. Victory representatives said they will meet with legal staff, complete the survey (estimated $8,000–$10,000), obtain required permits and consult Councilor Greg Muscari and neighborhood stakeholders before returning with a conceptual plan.

Ending: Board members asked staff to ensure any final partnership agreement addresses field use, maintenance responsibilities and parking terms, and to document community outreach before returning with a design recommendation.