Parks staff reported several maintenance and program updates to the Parks and Recreation Board.

Staff said they installed a donated oversized chair and new shaded swings at the Kids Zone playground and replaced worn playground surfacing with a more durable, colorful material. The department removed an older train from Laughlin Park and plans to relocate it to Windmill Ridge; Laughlin will receive a different, historically themed feature.

Staff described winterization work under way across the city’s parks, including shutting off nearly 200 irrigation meters and removing dead trees. Crews are awaiting a full pile of Christmas trees to begin chipping; a chipper has been rented for the coming week.

On events, staff said the annual daddy–daughter dance (Jan. 25) is essentially sold out and that spring and summer event planning is underway: Founders Day and the spring extravaganza, and a Concert by the Lake schedule that will include Josh Turner as the headliner. Staff said they cannot yet release supporting acts but expect to announce more in February.

Staff also told the board a market-study survey and a recommended update to parkland dedication fees will come to the board at the next meeting; the current fee used in recent calculations is listed in materials as $70,000 per acre and staff anticipates an upward adjustment.

Board members praised staff for seasonal work and public programming and asked for more project visuals to review in future meetings.