Board adds Granada Park to next meeting after residents describe playground loss and steady local use

Parks and Recreation board members on Tuesday agreed to add a focused agenda item for Granada Park after board member Michael Blankenship and neighbors described persistent equipment loss and frequent use by local children.

Blankenship said he has observed many children at the park with “their stuff has been gone” and provided video evidence of kids playing with limited equipment. He asked the board to treat Granada as a priority and requested that neighbors be invited to a meeting so the board can hear directly from residents.

Director Shands and board members agreed to schedule a neighborhood meeting and asked Blankenship and community members to provide counts or video evidence showing how many children are using the park so staff can prepare options and cost estimates. Board members said they will add Granada Park as a new-business item at the next meeting and encouraged neighbors to attend.

The Project 2025 list discussed at the meeting includes multiple items in varying stages: completed, in design, under construction or awaiting purchasing. Board members also received updates on specific projects including the Roger Scott Tennis Center (returned to full operation after hard-court reconstruction and eligible for greater revenue under a new operating agreement), a kayak launch (bids returned and under staff review), and press-box repairs at a park that appear to have created an obstructed view from the interior windows; staff said they will inspect and propose corrective work.

Ending: The board requested staff follow up with site visits, schedule neighborhood outreach for Granada Park and include prioritized unfunded items for the next budget cycle.