Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Department Updates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
El Mirage parks department lists maintenance projects, senior program expansion and record event attendance
Summary
Parks and Recreation staff outlined maintenance and capital needs, senior center programming growth, security upgrades and a busy events calendar ahead of the master plan's final recommendations.
Parks and Recreation staff briefed the Common Council on June 17 on ongoing maintenance, capital projects and program growth as the city finalizes a parks master plan.
Sean (staff member) presented department leadership and highlighted planned staffing and facility work for fiscal year 2026, saying the department will fill a new management support specialist position and pursue refurbishment of the administrative building. "We approved in the FY26 budget some shade structures," Sean said, adding that staff is evaluating grant opportunities to address shade at four neighborhood parks.
Staff listed several near-term projects: splash-pad and playground surfacing work, resurfacing of three basketball courts, security enhancements (lighting and cameras) at neighborhood parks, flooring work at the YMCA and a turf maintenance closure at Gateway Park. Robert Veil La Cruz was identified as representing the parks division; Larry Garcia was identified as representing senior services; Cassandra Bernier leads special events.
Larry Garcia, senior services representative, reported program growth at the senior center: expanded enrichment programming, increased membership and attendance, new lunch program options and a return to daily fees for services. Staff pointed to stronger volunteer engagement and a recent partnership event with the West Valley Arts Council: a free "Make Music Day" concert at the senior center scheduled for Saturday from noon to 3 p.m.
Cassandra Bernier, who oversees special events, told the council the department saw record attendance across events this past season ("over 20,000 in total," staff said) and revived contracted attractions such as a carnival. She also described plans to expand movie-in-the-park and sponsorship opportunities and noted growth in the community garden program.
Council members asked for copies of compiled community-workshop boards and survey analyses; staff said those materials will be shared with council and later posted to the community. No formal action or funding approvals were taken during the work session discussion; the briefing was presented as information ahead of the master plan completion.
