Heath board hears park construction and security updates, tables PATH fundraising resolution

The Heath Parks and Recreation Board received updates on park construction, special-event planning and security technology at its brief June meeting, and voted to table a proposed Parks and Trails of Heath Fundraising Committee resolution until the board's July meeting.

Board members began by approving the minutes from the board's May 19, 2025, regular meeting by unanimous vote. The board then heard staff reports covering the park capital fund, changes to parade staging because of nearby road work, construction delays tied to utility conflicts and a bid-date change for a park water well, and a demonstration of new security cameras installed at Cary Park.

Suzanne, parks staff, said the park fund balance showed little change and reported that PATH continued to receive monthly donations, and that staff had purchased 200 individually wrapped cookies and other concessions for events. Noting changes to parade logistics after work on Amy Parks Drive, Suzanne said staging will move to “the reserve,” and that police officers are assisting with the detour. “It worked out great for the 5K, so we're expecting this to be fine, fun, festive, and safe,” she said.

Brian Creed, parks staff, gave a detailed construction update. He said crews found an 18-inch water line running into the park pond that appears to date from a highway widening project and that locating and redesigning around that old line has delayed work. Creed described a drainage conflict and an electrical conduit conflict that have required redesign and additional coordination with utilities. He said the original bid-opening for a park well was moved from the 16th of the month to the 24th to allow more contractors to prepare bids; Creed said the board should expect roughly eight months from start to finish on the overall work and that, after drilling and fittings, “the well will probably have water coming out of it after about 90 days.”

Creed also reported multiple shallow electrical conduits found near restroom areas; staff said some newer LED light conduits were installed too close to grade and will require corrective work. He described next steps as locating an older line, redesigning the pond tie-in, capping or removing a shallow pipe segment and completing temporary bypasses so construction can continue while contractors complete the well and utility corrections.

The board discussed scheduling for holiday events tied to the new park. Suzanne said staff and vendors need a June decision about whether to proceed with the planned Christmas event, noting staffing and vendor availability: “By June, you need to make the call,” she said, adding that one option is to postpone and hold a spring ribbon-cutting to avoid spending money on a partially finished site.

Police Department leadership demonstrated new pan-tilt-zoom cameras installed at Cary Park and said the system includes person-detection and after-hours notifications for officers. The chief said the cameras are installed and “working well,” that they can notify officers if someone is in the park after set hours, and that officers can view the feed from patrol vehicles. The chief noted limitations for coverage where tree canopy blocks views and said a fixed second camera will be repositioned once permanent park electrical service is available.

Staff also described PATH volunteer activity and merchandise sales at recent events and invited volunteers to help with event staffing and retail sales. Staff named Tiffany, Ashley and Lisa Price as current PATH volunteers helping the city tent at a recent 5K.

Finally, the board considered a resolution to establish a Parks and Trails of Heath Fundraising Committee. Board members agreed to table the resolution to allow the incoming city manager to review the document and for additional edits; a motion to move the resolution to the July meeting passed unanimously. The board closed the meeting shortly after 6:20 p.m.

Actions recorded at the meeting included the unanimous approval of the May 19, 2025, minutes and the unanimous vote to table the PATH fundraising resolution until July. Specific individual vote names were not listed in the meeting transcript.

The board directed staff to continue utility coordination, proceed with the revised bid schedule for the well, and provide updates at the July meeting when the fundraising resolution returns to the agenda.