Fresno commission hears Measure P FY2026 budget; approves parkway planning and neighborhood plaza design funds

The Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission on May 27 heard the mayor—s proposed Measure P fiscal year 2026 budget and presentations from Parks Director Aaron Aguirre, Beautify Fresno Director Mark Standriff, Deputy Chief Rob Beckwith of the Fresno Police Department and Public Works Director Scott Mosier. Commissioners approved recommendations to fund planning for a San Joaquin River Parkway parcel and scoping for a neighborhood plaza along East Cesar Chavez.

The presentations outlined how Measure P categories will be used across parks operations, new development, youth and senior programming, arts and culture pass-throughs, and a major street beautification and trail category (category 5) that funds safe walking and biking trails, the San Joaquin River Parkway and street beautification. Aaron Aguirre, parks department director, said today was the commission—s last chance to forward budget recommendations to city council ahead of council hearings in early June.

Beautify Fresno—s director, Mark Standriff, presented a proposed Measure P allocation for his division of roughly $1,448,000 for FY2026. "We divided the city into quadrants... and we've removed over 2,500,000 pounds of trash since its inception earlier this fall," Standriff told commissioners, describing two quad crews and volunteer events as the major components of the work. He said personnel costs (about $500,000) for two quad crews are the largest line item; other costs include landfill tipping fees and interdepartmental charges for vehicle fuel and maintenance.

Rob Beckwith, deputy chief with the Fresno Police Department, described the park ranger program as a collaboration with the parks department "we believe to be highly successful," noting current staffing at 18 park rangers with an expectation to reach the authorized 20 by fall 2025. Beckwith said rangers perform visibility, limited enforcement (typically parking citations), reporting and community engagement and have been active across city parks; he emphasized the program has helped connect some unhoused people to services and reduce repeat problems.

Public Works Director Scott Mosier detailed category 5 investments that fund trail design and construction, protected bike lanes, trail maintenance and the San Joaquin River Parkway. Mosier said 20% of the city—s trail allocation is used for operations and maintenance and 25% must be used on a defined high-priority network. He listed several specific projects and accomplishments: Midtown Trail segment 4 is about 71% complete in construction; segment 1b is 90% complete in design; segment 3 is near 60%; major-street beautification projects completed on Cesar Chavez Boulevard (Maple to Chestnut), Herndon (Blackstone to Palm) and Barstow Avenue (Angus to Cedar); and 82 trees recently planted in the river corridor. Mosier said the FY2026 proposed budget includes $830,200 for a full-time San Joaquin River Parkway trail maintenance crew and a proposed $250,000 lump-sum line for deferred maintenance projects along the corridor.

Commissioners pressed departments for clarifications. Several asked for measurable metrics for the park ranger program beyond calls-for-service totals; Beckwith said public safety and resident feedback are key metrics and agreed the city could develop more granular measures. Commissioners also raised equity and geographic distribution questions about where Measure P-funded projects are delivered; Mosier and others said some line items are citywide, some are corridor-specific (e.g., the river parkway), and the 1,000-new-tree initiative is intended to prioritize tree-poor neighborhoods.

Public comment included appeals for more indoor basketball facilities and for greater park and tree investment in West and Northwest Fresno. Representatives of community sports clubs and residents said outdoor courts and existing indoor gyms are not sufficient for year-round use and urged the commission to explore short-term partnerships with school districts and longer-term facility planning.

The commission voted on several budget recommendations and related motions: a motion to allocate not to exceed $50,000 from Measure P category 5 for planning and design work on a San Joaquin River Parkway Trust-owned parcel (the Collier property) passed; a separate motion to allocate $300,000 to begin planning a park or plaza on the city-owned parcel at Seventh and East Cesar Chavez passed; and the commission voted to record its support for the mayor—s proposed FY2026 Measure P budget as presented. The commission also voted to increase a previously proposed grants line (Recommendation 10) from $50,000 to $100,000 targeted to nonprofit organizations that conduct programs or projects in Fresno parks.

Commissioners flagged next steps: staff will forward the commission—s recommendations to city council at the city—s June budget hearings; staff agreed to return with more detailed maps of the trail network and tree-planting plans; and parks and recreation staff will continue discussions with school districts about interim indoor gym access while longer-term capital options are explored.

The hearing closed with the commission—s list of recommendations and directions to staff for the council submission.