The Yukon Parks and Recreation Board heard a department update Tuesday night that highlighted the completion and ribbon-cutting of four newly installed neighborhood playgrounds and the recent approval of $400,000 for additional playground projects.

Ryan, speaking for the parks department, said the recent effort focused on rapidly designing and installing $50,000 playgrounds that are durable and placed in neighborhoods that previously lacked play facilities. "We actually cut the ribbons last night," he said, noting a bus tour and community activities that accompanied the openings.

Ryan described each completed site as distinctive — Green Belt and Dickinson among them — and said the department prioritized placing playgrounds in smaller neighborhood parks to increase walkable access. At Bledsoe Park, staff added new equipment around an existing small structure rather than replacing useful older pieces.

The department announced it has been approved for another $400,000 for future playgrounds and intends to have those installed by Yukon’s spring break. Ryan named candidate locations including a site just west of the library (targeted for 2–5-year-olds with an inclusive pour-in-place surface and a fence), two additions at Kimball Park (north and south sides), updates at Sunrise Park (after drainage repairs), possible nature-themed options at City Park, and a potential small addition at Hillcrest depending on remaining funds.

Ryan also described practical challenges and priorities: drainage work at Sunrise Park must precede equipment installation; some existing equipment does not meet current safety codes and will be replaced; and where existing structures remain serviceable, staff plan to add complementary equipment rather than remove it.

Sports-field work was also covered: Taylor Park will receive additional soccer fields, and softball-field renovations are planned at Sunrise Park. On the Freedom Trail restroom project, Ryan said a Land and Water Conservation Fund matching grant is available, but prefabricated restroom units evaluated by staff were estimated at "north of $400,000," so the department plans to build a ground-up restroom in order to remain within budget.

Ryan encouraged board members and the public to visit the new playgrounds and said staff saved the city tens of thousands of dollars by using in-house public-works crews on sidewalks and parking at two locations. He closed by inviting questions and reminding the board that additional details and site photos are available in the meeting packet.

The board approved routine minutes earlier in the meeting and adjourned after setting the next meeting for Dec. 17 at 6 p.m.