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Parks director outlines patrols, accessibility push and new 'park chats' engagement series
Summary
Parks Director briefed the board on completed projects, an emphasis on accessibility, plans for a parks patrol unit to increase daily presence, and a new "park chats" series to gather neighborhood input starting Aug. 29 at the Westside Community Center.
Director Crook used a slide presentation at the Aug. 21 meeting to summarize completed projects, maintenance work and community outreach plans for the parks department.
Crook said the department manages 46 parks (potentially increasing to 48) and listed recent work over the prior 12 months including playground installations, the Fulton basketball-court refurbishment, a large inclusive playground at Wesselman Park (opened in April), improvements to Lomasco Softball Field, replacement of the Swander cooling tower and demolition of Lloyd Pool to prepare for future programming. He highlighted the recently opened Stockwell Futsal Court as a community success.
On safety, a speaker recounted that park rangers historically handled park duties and the city police later assumed those responsibilities. The speaker said the current administration asked him to return as supervisor of a parks patrol unit overseeing six officers focused on parks; Crook said a January video and increased officer presence earlier in the year corresponded with reductions in vandalism and undesirable activity.
Crook emphasized accessibility as an ongoing priority, noting installation of accessible swings and a commitment that future projects include accessible playground equipment, curb ramps and sidewalks to improve access. He also described efforts to establish clear maintenance performance metrics and to evaluate a centralized work-order system for park maintenance crews.
As part of community engagement, Crook announced "park chats," a series of public meetings to present park improvements and gather resident input. The first park chat is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. at the Westside Community Center and Councilman Jim Brinkmeyer is expected to attend. The department plans to hold additional park chats in other wards through October and December.
Deputy Director Paul Bausman said staff are conducting an inventory of hazard trees and partnering with urban forestry to plan removals; he said tree work will be scheduled over months to years.
