Parks committee reviews tree plantings, storm damage and facility work at city parks

Parks staff provided a monthly operations update detailing recent plantings and storm damage and outlined next steps for repairs and programming.

Russell Hooper, parks staff, reported the department planted more than 60 trees across multiple parks since the last meeting, including about 18 at Ned Halk, four at the shooting range and 20 at Hillcrest Park; the remainder were scattered across Sunset, Pat Sandoval, Dennis Chavez and Roy Walker. Hooper said a recent windstorm damaged several light poles at Potter, Dickinson and God Leader parks and "ripped up and flipped over" a pavilion at Pat Sandoval; staff are working with insurance to repair those assets.

Hooper also briefed the committee on a three-day ATA sporting clays shoot held April 11-13. Staff said the event was the best weekend the range has had and that the department is scheduling more single-day shoots and local programming. The committee confirmed some overnight camping associated with events had occurred without problems.

Commissioner staff reported that K Barnett has begun construction on a parking lot tied to the Goodwin Lake Trails project; that work will precede drainage and trail improvements and the installation of a new playground.

The committee announced the Great American Cleanup will be held this Saturday; the Parks and Recreation Department asked for volunteer teams and provided a meeting time and collection point at the department facility on Sycamore.

Committee members asked staff to track insurance and repair timelines for storm-damaged assets and to report back on completion dates at a future meeting.