City rolls out pilot programming at Marcella Park, highlights Dean Park upgrades and pickleball plans
Summary
Parks staff described new pilot recreation programs at the recently acquired Marcella Park, year‑round open gym, Dean Park ribbon cutting with expanded pickleball courts and staff plans to monitor usage; lights are not yet budgeted though conduit was installed.
Parks, Culture & Recreation staff provided the council a brief on recreation programming, facility pilots at the Marcella Park property and recent park projects.
Why it matters: the department said pilot programs will test demand and inform staffing and longer‑term programming decisions for the Marcella Park property acquired by the city. Council members expressed interest in youth and evening programming and asked about staffing and infrastructure.
Key points - Marcella Park pilots: Staff said they will run a small lineup of drop‑in and scheduled pilot activities (open gym moved year‑round to the Boys & Girls Club site; scheduled drop‑in events and small youth-focused programming) and hold a community “extravaganza” on April 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to showcase the facility and gather input. - Dean Park: Staff reported the April ribbon cutting for Dean Park and described the new pickleball courts (5 courts at Stonewall Park also exist). The city installed conduit for lights at Dean Park courts but did not include the lights’ purchase in the current budget; lighting would require a future CIP project. - Staffing and equipment: Recreation staffing was described as small (two full‑time positions and a part‑time role with one newly added full‑time recreation coordinator focusing on Marcella); staff will use portable equipment (a play trailer funded by a grant) for neighborhood events and will continue open‑gym scheduling at partner facilities.
Council comments and next steps Councilors asked about court reservations, potential free play hours, and whether lights could be added in a future budget cycle; staff agreed to monitor usage and return with recommendations. The department encouraged residents to sign up through the city’s rec desk for court rentals and noted they are reviewing options to set aside some courts as free play to respond to high demand.
Ending: Staff will proceed with the April 12 community event and evaluate pilot participation to inform future staffing and capital requests.
