Parks staff report new and completed projects; council approved zoo contribution in CIP

Parks staff offered a series of project updates and Capital Improvement Program highlights at the meeting, reporting several completed projects and outlining next steps for work coming in 2026.

Completed work: staff said Seaward Trail reconstruction at Menomonee Park is finished and that added drain tile in open grass areas should improve usability for fishing tournaments and trailers. Pickard Park's new playground equipment and rubber surfacing are installed and restoration work around the site is underway. Stevens Park saw basketball and tennis courts resurfaced, and 44th Parallel Court was reconfigured from two tennis courts to one tennis court and two pickleball courts with an accessible walkway to the courts.

Upcoming work and CIP highlights: staff said meetings with the architect on the REACH Ball Fields restroom and concession building are ongoing and that an initial design should return to the park board shortly after the start of the year. The REACH lights replacement was noted as a major CIP item. Staff reported the common council approved a $100,000 city contribution to the Menomonee Park Zoo and an annual $50,000 Park Trails allotment in the 2026 CIP.

Operations note: the Menomonee Park amusement train operations will be discussed in a council workshop scheduled for Jan. 13, 2026, as staff and council continue to evaluate operations for the coming season. Staff said they will send additional detail by email on CIP items requested by the board.

Meeting action: no formal staff actions were required; these updates were informational.