Richardson — City parks staff on Monday outlined candidate projects and cost scenarios for a potential 2026 parks bond, laying out two principal packages (approximately $20 million and $30 million) and prompting council debate over which projects to prioritize.

The presentation, led by the director of parks and recreation, described a prioritization rooted in the Parks and Recreation Open Space Master Plan (adopted February 2023), an Aquatic Master Plan approved in January 2025, annual asset assessments and input from the Parks and Recreation Commission. Staff presented individual project estimates: "The Cottonwood Sprayground is a $2,700,000 project," and "The Canyon Creek Pool renovation is a $2,300,000 project," producing a combined aquatic subtotal of about $5.8 million, staff said. Other candidate estimates included a Breckenridge sprayground and restroom with parking (staff estimate about $5.6 million including a $1.3 million parking renovation), a Gallatin Plaza fountain replacement/renovation (preliminary estimate up to $5.2 million pending a condition assessment), a playground package estimated at about $5.7 million, and a Breckenridge pedestrian bridge at just under $5 million. Staff also proposed four pickleball courts at Point North with an estimated cost of $1.6 million.

Council members split over priorities. Several members urged elevating the Breckenridge pedestrian bridge (a project discussed since 2010) ahead of Apollo Park Phase 2. "I really struggle with the idea that we're gonna move forward with Apollo Park when there are other parks in that area, and we're gonna push down the road after we've already pushed it for 15 years," Mayor Pro Tem Hutchenrider said. Councilmember Justice asked staff to "reassess whether or not we absolutely need to be doing Phase 2 of Apollo Park versus, either, the bridge or the spray ground."

Staff defended the recommended sequencing. They said Apollo Park Phase 2 would provide dedicated game fields that could relieve pressure on heavily used fields elsewhere and allow Breckenridge to be repurposed for other sports. The director also said the aquatic recommendations were driven by consultant analysis and by efforts to provide balanced coverage across the city; staff noted some pools are more than 60 years old and may require expensive, unpredictable repairs if deferred.

Council members also pressed for clearer operating‑cost (OpEx) figures before committing to new facilities. Staff said some items — for example, spraygrounds — reduce annual operating costs (staff estimated roughly $66,000 net annual savings for replacing two neighborhood pools with two spraygrounds after accounting for lost revenue), while facilities such as athletic lighting or additional parking would add to operating budgets. On the Gallatin fountain, staff emphasized the current $5.2 million number is a worst‑case estimate and that the city is awaiting a condition‑assessment report from the manufacturer before finalizing a recommended approach.

Following the discussion, staff said they would: provide a full playground inventory and a proposal for phasing replacements over time; refine cost breakouts (including OpEx) for candidate projects; and return with financing scenarios and a narrower set of propositions for council consideration leading up to a February bond call.

The council did not vote on a bond package Monday; the parks presentation was a request for feedback and direction.

What’s next: Staff will return with a refined proposition suite (cost breakdowns, operational estimates and funding options) after completing the Gallatin fountain assessment and the playground inventory, ahead of any decision to place measures on a 2026 bond ballot.