Parks Board approves summer events, community projects and recommends FY26 parks budget

The Hendersonville Parks Board on the April agenda voted to approve several upcoming events and community projects, recommended the parks department—s FY26 operating budget to the city and agreed to pilot public recycling and a pet ID scanner at the dog park.

Board members approved permits or endorsements for a community unity concert at Sanders Ferry Park, a suicide-prevention "Hike for Hope" at Sanders Ferry Shelter 8, a YMCA summer nature-education rock-painting installation on the greenway, an Eagle Scout rainbow-bridge memorial at the dog park, the grand opening of veteran-owned shaved-ice vendor Abominable Snowballs and a request from Hendersonville High School to hold its annual Black and Gold Day in the park with a waiver of food-truck vendor fees.

The approvals came alongside the board—s annual responsibility to review and comment on the parks department—s operating request for FY26. Director Andy Gilley told board members the body—s role was advisory: "You're not you're not voting to spend any money. I say this every year, but you can make recommendations," Gilley said.

Most of the event and project motions passed with routine roll-call procedures. Jamie Johnson, a community organizer who previously sought board permission to use Sanders Ferry Park for a unity concert after a local tragedy, told the board, "It's happening. It's this Saturday, May 3. Gates open at noon, and the music starts and will run from 1 to 4." Tricia Mason, representing the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, described the group—s Hike for Hope as a targeted outreach to the construction industry and said the event is intended to increase awareness and raise funds for suicide prevention.

The board approved the YMCA—s proposal to paint and place approximately 50 small painted rocks along the greenway as an environmental-education and art activity for summer campers; YMCA representative Kyle Graves said the organization expects "almost 100 kids at each of our two sites" for its summer programs. Lamont Martin, an Eagle Scout candidate, described a planned 16-foot-long, 5-foot-wide wooden "rainbow bridge" and a leash holder to be built alongside the dog park as his Eagle project; the board voted to approve his proposal and asked Martin to return with photos after completion.

Kara Kenny of Green Village Recycling asked the board to allow the nonprofit to staff recycling stations at select sporting events to reduce contamination and educate attendees. The board voted to approve a pilot partnership for staffed recycling at park events. Board members also approved a proposal to trial a pet-ID scanner near the Memorial Park dog area after staff described repeated instances of abandoned dogs and recent dog-park upgrades.

On the budget, Gilley summarized the proposed FY26 operating request and noted the packet —s operating pages include a single additional maintenance employee; he said most line items remain unchanged and that the department had increased part-time wages to cover added gym and program needs. After discussion about capacity and rising facility use, the board voted to recommend the proposed parks budget to the city.

Board members and staff also shared operational updates: the department recently completed the first concrete phase on the Drakes Creek greenway, installed benches and picnic tables, and reported Mary—s Magical Place had reopened in the wake of flood repairs. Staff said the Sanders Ferry boat ramp projected opening has been pushed back and that the department continues cleanup from recent floods and tornadoes.

Votes at a glance: the board approved (1) adding the Hendersonville High School Black and Gold Day item to the agenda, (2) the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention—s use of Sanders Ferry Shelter 8 for Hike for Hope, (3) the YMCA summer greenway art installation (approximately 50 rocks), (4) the Eagle Scout rainbow-bridge memorial at the dog park, (5) the Abominable Snowballs grand-opening at Memorial Park with 10% donation pledge, (6) Green Village Recycling's staffed recycling pilot at select park events, (7) installation of a pet-ID scanner at the Memorial Park dog area as a pilot, (8) the Parks Department recommendation of the FY26 operating budget to the city, and (9) waiver of vendor fees for Hendersonville High School—s Black and Gold Day. Each motion passed by voice vote at the meeting.

The board asked community project leaders to coordinate with parks staff on installation details, safety reviews and any required follow-up reporting; the Eagle Scout volunteer specifically was asked to return with completion photos for the board. Director Gilley said grant decisions tied to some park projects are still pending and are expected later in the summer.