Moorhead parks staff report construction, accessibility and programming updates; Rompke pool and Matson grandstand on schedule

Parks staff updated the Moorhead Park Advisory Board on Aug. 28 about ongoing construction, maintenance and program activity across the city’s park system.

Pickleball conversion: Staff said the tennis-to-pickleball conversion at Village Green Park included full asphalt repaving, new lines, nets, fences and court signage. The project used an Age‑Friendly grant and will receive wind screens; staff noted players had asked about restroom access and said restroom planning for neighborhood parks is under review for 2026.

Playgrounds and accessibility: The board heard about expanded work on engineered wood fiber (EWF) surfacing to achieve targeted 12‑inch depths for fall protection and ADA compliance; staff added concrete access paths at four playgrounds and reviewed ground-level components to meet ADA design ratios. An inclusive playground at Southside Regional Park received fencing funded partly by a $7,500 FM Area Foundation grant and a $4,500 donation from the Lake Agassiz Pacers.

Hampton Park and other small projects: Staff said an in‑house swing set installation and mulch refreshes were completed at Hampton Park. At Woodlawn Park staff trialed mulch around baskets for the disc golf course and plan to continue the approach with the redesign.

Skating and downtown activation: Staff showed concept work at Davie Memorial Park for a ring levee to hold seasonal flooding and form a small skating amenity around the historic log cabin. The initial intent is event-driven skating rather than a staffed warming-house operation.

Rompke pool: Construction on the Rompke Park pool house and pool is underway; roof trusses and pool floor were reported complete and walls being sprayed. Staff said the project is on budget and the target opening is June 2026, weather permitting; landscaping and turf establishment likely will continue into spring 2026.

Matson Field and grandstand: Staff presented photos of concrete forms and foundation work for the Matson grandstand and said walls were expected to be completed the following week; in‑house turf work and infield top-dressing were also under way.

Parks operations and tools: Staff rolled out Element‑X (work-order and asset management) to park maintenance crews, enabling geotagged photo work orders and field tablets. Staff said the rollout aims to improve tracking and responsiveness for repairs and requests across parks.

Programming and events: Staff recapped summer programming (shelter rentals, canoe/kayak program limited by river conditions, an annual dog dip with more than 80 dogs), thanked Moorhead Public Schools for swim lesson partnerships, and previewed Greater Moorhead Days events, including a parade and community outdoor events. Staff said the farmers market runs Tuesdays through Oct. 28 (3:30–6 p.m.) and that a USDA farmers market grant application is pending.

Staff responded to board questions about restroom access at Village Green, mulch durability and planned fall/winter plantings. No formal votes were associated with the construction and program update.