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Parks and Recreation reports: 556 soccer registrations; playground and splash-pad updates
Summary
Parks staff reported maintenance and capital work at several parks, and recreation staff provided participation and revenue figures including 556 soccer registrants and more than $70,000 in sponsorships. The board received a copy of the department's proposed 2026 budget for presentation to the council.
Parks staff told the advisory board Oct. 14 that field maintenance and capital work are underway across the city, and recreation staff reported steady participation in ongoing programs as they prepare for the 2026 budget presentation to city council.
Theresa, speaking for Parks operations, said field maintenance continues at Dames Park and that the playground project there is about 75% complete; two platform pieces arrived incorrectly and the manufacturer is sending replacements. She said staff will close the Ozzie Smith Sport Complex to the public Oct. 27 for synthetic turf installation and are removing irrigation heads and adjusting boxes in advance. Theresa also said Westhoff Park's splash pad closed for the season, the Civic Center hosted the Rail District festivals on Sept. 6, and Fort Zumwalt Park will close to vehicle traffic Oct. 13 for the annual Celebration of Lights. Theresa said she provided the board copies of the proposed 2026 budget, which staff will present to city council on Thursday night.
Craig, on behalf of Recreation, said 70 children registered for a new civic dance season and that 556 children are signed up for soccer this fall; 64 children enrolled in T-ball and coach-pitch. He said the department is joining the New Horizons Youth Baseball League for the upcoming spring season and that the league's teams include municipalities such as Wentzville, Lake Saint Louis, Flint Hill and others. "We had 556 kids signed up for soccer," Craig said.
Craig also reported that personal-training sales rose to about $8,600 in the most recent month, up from a typical $4,900; new aerobic and dance-fitness classes have been added, and the department's "Get Out and Play" event was rescheduled to Nov. 14 at Dames Park. Recreation managers Jennifer Hoisinton and Kristen Vunderburk attended a national festivals-and-events conference in Palm Springs, California, and the department has surpassed $70,000 in sponsorship revenue this year, staff said.
Board members asked clarifying questions about registration trends and expressed general support for further details to be provided at future meetings. No formal votes were taken because the session was informational.
