Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parks board approves $500 youth grant for KP Crew pollinator garden at Carlson Skate Park
Summary
The Keizer Parks and Recreation Advisory Board approved a $500 youth grant to the KP Crew to install a pollinator garden at Carlson Skate Park. Volunteers will manage planting and initial maintenance; city staff will assist with plant procurement and possible irrigation improvements.
The Keizer Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted to award a $500 youth grant to the KP Crew to create a pollinator garden at Carlson Skate Park during its March 2025 meeting.
The grant will fund initial plant purchases and related materials. Paul, a co‑founder of the KP Crew, told the board the group planned to transform a patch of grass behind the skate park into a pollinator garden with native and regionally appropriate plants that provide blooms from spring through late fall. “I’m 1 of the cofounders of the KP Crew. We’re the guys who are in Sanding Skatepark, a group of volunteers that just really like the skatepark here,” Paul said. He said local nurseries had indicated some donations would be available and that R and R would donate wood chips for the site’s groundcover.
Board members and staff discussed project details and maintenance. Robert, parks staff, said the requested amount matched staff estimates for the planting area and noted the city could purchase plants directly through wholesale nursery contracts rather than reimbursing volunteers. “Sounds like he’s got the wood chips lined out for free,” Robert said, noting the city could also provide wholesale procurement to lower costs.
Board members asked about long‑term upkeep and public safety. Paul said the KP Crew and regular skate‑park volunteers would handle maintenance: “Me and my crew. I feel like I have more than enough guys who are passionate about this to kind of be able to take care of it.” Staff suggested that if the group pursued irrigation later, a small sprinkler or drip system could be added with minimal work.
A motion to approve the $500 youth grant for the KP Crew pollinator garden carried unanimously; the board recorded the motion as passing with two members absent.
The garden is expected to be planted with local native species chosen to support a range of pollinators and to bloom across seasons; final plant lists will be reviewed and approved by city staff before purchase. The board and staff indicated they will monitor the site and can revisit plans if maintenance or safety problems arise.
