The Denison Parks and Recreation Commission approved minutes, set its 2026 meeting dates and affirmed leadership before hearing updates on recent park maintenance projects and the 10th season of Denison On Ice.

At the start of the session the commission approved the minutes from the Sept. 22, 2025 meeting by voice vote after a motion (the transcript refers to the motion as made by "Ryan"). The commission then reviewed available dates and set the 2026 meeting calendar for March 9, June 1, Sept. 14 and Dec. 7, approving the schedule by voice vote.

The commission also appointed leadership for one-year terms. A motion was made to retain the current chair and to appoint Jimmy as vice chair; that motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Clinton Neal, park services supervisor for the City of Denison Parks and Recreation Department, described recent maintenance work. "A couple of our guys went through and built some new framing on the brick and the old wood area," Neal said, summarizing repairs to the Waterloo Concession Building that included new framing, hardy plank siding and the installation of a window air-conditioning unit for cost effectiveness. Neal said the project took "probably about 2 and a half to 3 weeks" to complete.

Neal also reported work at the Loy Lake Pavilion, where crews stripped old shingles, replaced rotten plywood underneath the roof, installed new drip packaging and trim edging, and removed boarding on the underside of the pavilion to restore airflow and address mold and mildew. He said painting of poles and trim remained to be finished.

Elizabeth Hyatt, recreation supervisor, updated the commission on Denison On Ice. Hyatt said the rink was extended by 14 feet and the tent square footage was increased; Heritage Park’s Christmas tree (about 16 feet) was relocated to Denison On Ice for the season. Hyatt said the majority of build-out was completed by Nov. 19 (media day). "Our opening weekend and our holiday week were pretty successful," Hyatt said, reporting 421 people over opening weekend and 1,147 attendees during the holiday week. She provided operations staffing numbers — nine dedicated maintenance workers plus 29 associates and five managers — and said sponsorships totaled about $98,000, including $39,000 in cash and $48,000 in in-kind support, with Blue Peak Fiber Internet as the presenting sponsor.

Hyatt said she did not have the total square footage added on hand and offered to provide that number later.

The commission had no further business and the chair adjourned the meeting.