Parks staff detail timelines for shades, lighting, fields, splash pads and Brown House repairs

Parks and Recreation staff provided updates on several capital and maintenance projects and program openings during the board’s March 10 work session at City Council Chambers.

Staff said a shade structure for the Pirate Cove playground has been approved by council and will come in “just a little bit under $200,000,” is in the engineering phase with the original playground contractor WeBuildFun, and could move into manufacturing in the next five to six weeks; installation would follow after engineering approval and manufacturing, with staff estimating a mid-to-late summer installation window.

On lighting and the dog park, staff said council approved a budget amendment last October to add 12 new solar light poles. Concrete piers for those poles have been poured; the poles have arrived but solar panels and batteries were still awaiting delivery at the time of the meeting. Staff said panels and batteries were expected by the end of the week and that the dog park will need to close for a few days when crews install the poles and equipment. As staff explained, the new solar lights will be programmable and are expected to switch off around midnight; the site’s existing electric lights will remain for security.

Field renovation: Staff reported work began on the south portion of the west fields at Founders Park. Contractors removed the top layer of soil, will replace the irrigation system, then place about two inches of new topsoil followed by two inches of sand before laying athletic-grade sod. Staff said the renovated fields will likely remain closed for spring and summer to establish turf and reopen for fall programming, and that youth football reservations will be impacted during the renovation window.

Pickleball expansion: The department is adding three courts adjacent to the three existing courts, and crews poured new concrete and set posts. Work this week required temporary closure of the courts; fence repair and gate additions are underway. Staff said the full set of six courts will be shaded with a single large fabric shade and that lighting will be installed under the shade once electrical plans are finalized and approved by council.

Brown House repairs: Exterior work to replace rotted wood and repaint the historic Brown House is underway after approvals from the historic review committee. Staff said repairs require matched, milled siding; contractors began surface prep and wood replacement and staff expect work to continue through May. One board member noted the building’s origin was discussed in the meeting as early 1905; staff confirmed most original exterior wood will remain and crews will replace damaged boards only.

Splash pads and playgrounds: Staff reported East Meadow splash pad is closest to completion; contractors will resume chemical work and tank balancing, after which county and city inspections can proceed. Community Park’s splash pad needs remaining irrigation, trees, plants and sod; staff said dry weather will speed completion. Staff said splash pads will open before a formal grand-opening ceremony; the grand-opening date will be announced in the next week. Staff also confirmed that the Sage Creek and Riverway playground replacements are scheduled for late May and early June, respectively.

Program notes: Opportunity signups are open (staff said a link was circulated by Julie). Staff said required signage will be posted at splash pads, including rules about pets; hours for splash pads will be daily once open (staff suggested typical hours such as 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., or until dark, but said hours had not been finalized).

Several board members asked clarifying questions about timelines and operational impacts (field availability for youth football, dog‑park closures for installation, and the need for extra cooling/misting at the Juneteenth festival). Staff responded with scheduling details, expected short closures during installation, and follow-up actions to coordinate with contractors and vendors.

The session closed with staff asking board members to raise any additional questions at the table; no further formal board actions on these projects were recorded at the meeting.