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Recreation board seeks $100,000 for River Park staircases, $50,000 for river safety in 2026 requests
Summary
The Recreation Advisory Board presented a detailed list of capital and maintenance requests for 2026, including $100,000 for three River Park staircases, $50,000 for ball‑field rehabilitation design, and an annual $5,000 request for Whitewater Park maintenance.
Mackenzie Lyle, a long‑time member of the Recreation Advisory Board, presented the board’s 2026 priorities during the Oct. 28 work‑session with trustees. The board asked the town for funding to address maintenance backlogs and several capital projects.
Key requests included $100,000 to address three River Park staircases (boat‑house ramp, the staircase to the wave feature and the softball field staircases), and $50,000 toward a phased ball‑field rehabilitation project. Lyle told trustees the $50,000 would be a design/planning phase and that the board expected grants and partner funding to cover the larger construction estimate previously discussed. She also requested $5,000 for annual Whitewater Park maintenance plus a $30,000 ask for Forest Square concrete repairs and pavilion maintenance.
Lyle said the board’s highest near‑term priority is maintaining existing facilities and securing long‑term funding for recreation services. She reported progress on recent projects: the $1.5 million Billy Cordova park upgrade, pocket‑wave rehab, boathouse concrete work and the new Chicago Ranch trail loop.
Trustees asked clarifying questions about grant status and phasing; staff and the recreation director said one high‑cost item (ball‑field reconstruction) will be scaled back in the budget draft to a $50,000 design phase in 2026 while grant applications are pursued.
The board will provide supporting documents and continue discussions with staff as the 2026 budget is finalized.
