Recreation staff report summer hires, fall events and facility updates; Battle Street Trails project reported closed

City recreation staff summarized recent staffing, program and facilities activity and outlined near-term closures for field renovations.

Mr. Smeta, the department business manager, told commissioners the department hired 39 limited‑service seasonal employees for summer work and that eight non‑summer hires were added in the previous months while two employees transferred to other city departments. "It was a good group, and there was a lot of positive feedback," he said.

The department's fall and winter event planning includes a Dia de los Muertos event that staff said will be held in partnership with Allan Hancock Community College and led by recreation staff and student services volunteers. Staff also released a 2025 leisure needs assessment that will go to the City Council; the director described the assessment as the department's five‑year roadmap.

The recreation guide for fall and winter has been produced in English and Spanish; staff said they printed a limited number of paper copies and plan to expand digital distribution through social media and school outreach (Peachjar). The department's graphic artist, Chris Taylor, was introduced to commissioners and credited with recent increases in social engagement.

Staff gave a schedule for field renovation and closures: Tunnel and Oakley Park renovations will start after fields dry from recent storms; renovations for fields identified as Aquist Apache, Orec and Atkinson are tentatively scheduled to close in November and reopen in February, depending on weather. Staff said they are exploring phased renovations (half a field at a time) and possible rental shifts to limit full closures.

Staff reported progress on the Japanese Community Center, saying staff will begin moving in furniture in the coming weeks and wireless service is expected to be installed soon.

Staff also reported the Battle Street Trails project is closed and that a reimbursement check was deposited to finance. The meeting transcript included a numeric figure that appeared inconsistent with other project documents; the amount was not independently verified in the meeting record and is therefore not reported here.

Ending: Staff said more detailed schedules and web updates will be posted online and invited commissioners to the upcoming City Council presentation of the leisure needs assessment.