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Parks staff report summer hires, program registrations and tournament plans
Summary
Parks staff told the board they have hired seasonal recreation assistants and lifeguards, are finalizing rosters and background checks for youth baseball and softball, and are planning tournaments, pickleball and summer camps; campground host starts May 1.
Christie, a parks and recreation staff member, told the Park Board that the department has hired three seasonal recreation assistants to support summer programming and concessions.
"We have hired three rec assistants," Christie said, adding the new hires will help with the point-of-sale inventory and sign-ups. She said staff plan to cross-train some lifeguards to assist when needed.
The staff update outlined progress across youth sports and summer offerings. Spring soccer is underway and staff ordered larger soccer goals for older age groups. Baseball rosters are complete and equipment has been distributed; softball registration lagged but rosters and background checks are nearing completion. Christie said some background checks remain "not quite yet cleared." Coaches will handle tournament registration, and staff said they will reimburse coaches or pay registrations directly if submitted in time.
On tournament play, Christie said evaluators helped create two new tournament teams for one age group and that staff will follow up with parents about additional tournament interest.
Recreational programs beyond youth sports are expanding: registration opened this week for sand volleyball and stand volleyball; staff are considering allowing incoming ninth-grade students (entering high school) to participate in high-school-level divisions with parental waivers. Spring pickleball began March 23 and summer pickleball registration was expected to open the following Monday. Christie said staff may use tennis courts or the high school depending on available space and that they will inspect city courts before deciding.
Summer recreation offerings being developed include tennis, art (canvas and water painting with high school teachers), archery, a survival skills program, a food-chain program, baton twirling classes, golf, track and field, music in the park, fitness classes, and yard games. Christie said she will build separate registrations for each program and that volunteers and community instructors have offered to help.
Staff also reported operational items: the campground volunteer host has been hired and is scheduled to start May 1, and an electrician completed Wi-Fi setup at the concession stands so the point-of-sale system will be ready by the first home game.
Action taken at the meeting: an unidentified board member moved to approve the meeting agenda and another unidentified board member seconded the motion; the chair called the motion approved by voice vote.
Less critical items mentioned included continued volunteer support for umpire training and a plan to cross-train staff with Britney for scheduling. Christie thanked several volunteers by name for helping open doors and track games for pickleball: Robert Behringer, Melissa Doherty and Jacob Henker.
No formal board motions beyond the agenda approval were recorded on program items.
