Parks staff briefed the Milton Equestrian Committee on work under way at Birmingham Park and a pending grant application that would fund new amenities and habitat restoration.

Jen Young, speaking for City parks staff, said crews recently replaced a failing culvert on the Blue Trail to reduce the risk of horse injuries and that the next priority is habitat restoration along the Green Trail adjacent to Little River. "The more we ride back there, the more it's just causing damage and problems to that area," Young said, explaining staff intend to let shore vegetation rehabilitate while providing a route around sensitive sections.

Young described a grant application that would require a $200,000 local match. If awarded, the city would use the funds to install a restroom, repair a bridge on the Yellow Trail, perform stream restoration and add parking to improve horse-trailer access. She noted ongoing problems with trailers navigating a sharp corner in the lower lot and said added parking would help "mitigate that problem."

Young also summarized community work tied to the park: a partnership with the Milton Historical Society to document park history and plans to lead guided hikes, and volunteer trail-cleanup events. The committee supported Young's request to recruit crew leaders for organized cleanups; Young said the goal is to identify leaders by Jan. 1 and to field several crews for seasonal work. She said last year's trail cleanup drew about 56 volunteers.

Committee members praised the updates and asked staff to provide maps and additional details when the grant advances. No formal vote on the grant was taken; staff said the city already approved applying for the grant and will return with next-step information if the first funding round is successful.