Commissioner AJ Marshall and his Parks, Cemeteries & Public Grounds team presented a department update Monday that detailed year‑round recreation programs, cemetery operations, maintenance activities and an array of capital projects — including a major renovation at Memorial Park that has secured $5.5 million in pledged funding.

The recreation division reported robust summer programming: an eight‑week day camp for 150 children, pool programming that logged about 10,500 swimmer visits this season, senior‑oriented events and community activities such as drive‑in movies, a summer concert series and the downtown Trunk or Treat. “Our marquee program is our summer festival,” Recreation Supervisor Renee Minhaj said, noting strong participation, extensive staffing and trips offsite for campers.

The maintenance division described citywide responsibilities that include 250 acres of active parks and more than 6,500 acres of open space; cemetery operations across 17 properties; tree pruning and emergency tree response; and snow removal for public buildings and sidewalks. Maintenance staff noted a shift to more in‑house tree work that reduced contracting costs and enabled quicker emergency response.

Capital projects highlighted:
• Memorial Park renovation (phases 2–3): A $5.5 million pledge has been secured; the project will add permanent restrooms, an amphitheater, a stabilized pond with aeration, a Great Lawn, a boardwalk through wetlands, new parking and improved lighting. Phase 2 is under contract and expected to be complete on schedule; phase 3 is slated to go to bid in December with construction starting in April and completion targeted for December 2026.
• Duval Park and new dog park: recently completed transformation with porous ADA‑compliant surfacing for tree pits and Totten Green streetscape improvements.
• Nies Ton splash pad: $1 million set aside for a neighborhood splash pad; locations under design.
• Security cameras: rollout of new cameras at Riverfront Park, Hopewell and other sites; system integration with the police monitoring center ongoing.

Commissioner Marshall said the department has invested in equipment (notably a new excavator/forestry grapple and a dump truck) and that capital funding since 2019 totals more than $15 million for parks and grounds improvements and equipment. Councilors thanked the department for programming and asked for follow‑ups on Sikorsky Field planning and Hopewell Pool pass revenue. Commissioner Marshall said legal and easement reviews are underway for Sikorsky Field and that the city is exploring multi‑stakeholder options before committing capital funds.

Marshall said the department will return with more targeted briefings if councilors want deeper dives on Memorial Park, Sikorsky Field or capital spending priorities.

“Those plantings are done at over 25 locations citywide,” Marshall said of seasonal flower installations, stressing the staff labor required to maintain the city’s public landscaping.

Councilors praised the department’s volunteer engagement and cross‑departmental coordination, and encouraged public outreach ahead of the Christmas Lights On Festival on Dec. 6 and the city parade on Dec. 7.