Mark Eller, the city's parks planning administrator, gave a multi-project update to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, showing construction photos and reporting schedule and budget status for dozens of capital projects across Garland parks.

Eller identified key active projects and their status: the Garland Senior Activity Center (under construction, contractor on board), the Surf & Swim project (on track for substantial completion in spring with public opening projected next summer), and the Blue Health Park (project moving forward despite initial overrun).

Two large projects reported cost concerns requiring further action. At Rick Oden Park, the proposed splash pad came in over budget; staff said the project team and city management instructed designers to "design to the budget" and reduce the splash pad footprint or remove components so the work can be rebid or reconsidered. Eller described the initial overage as approximately $670,000 for the splash pad scope and noted that redesign will affect procurement and timing.

Windjoy Park and other projects also required scope adjustments. For Windjoy, staff plan to remove one Permitrack boardwalk alternate and several fitness stations that had been bid as alternates to bring the project closer to budget. The board was told these scope adjustments were planned as bid alternates to avoid full cancellation.

Eller highlighted permitting and external reviews that affect schedules. Dallas Water Utilities reviews for utility easements can take six to eight months; Texas Parks and Wildlife review timelines were also cited as roughly six months, which can push project delivery dates. For John Paul Jones Park, staff said they will remove a permanent restroom from the current bidding set and process it separately to avoid holding the whole project for utility reviews.

Other project notes: James Park and Quail Creek are being coordinated as two nearby sites under one consultant and staff expect to start construction soon pending purchasing actions; Tuckerville and the new tennis/pro shop complex are progressing; Duck Creek Audubon trail design cleared an initial flood-study concern with no expected rise in flood elevation and remains under design review. The Garland Avenue underpass trail will likely be rebid in the first quarter of next year after a pause.

Eller also discussed procurement realities: recent inflation and supply-chain volatility have increased costs for concrete, steel and specialty equipment (splash-pad hardware frequently imported), requiring contingency planning and sometimes 10% to higher allowances for construction estimates.

Board members asked for regular updates on projects that had been paused or required redesign; staff committed to provide updates in December or January and to include project timelines when available.