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O'Fallon parks report: playground repairs, Badazi turf design nearly complete and $10,000 public-art bench planned
Summary
Parks staff updated the advisory board on recent construction at Westaff Park, replacement of Dean's Park playground, and a Badazi turf project with ATG nearing final design and a planned October permitting and October 1 start; staff also said one $10,000 art bench will be purchased and sponsorships have exceeded 2025 budgeted totals.
Parks staff briefed the O'Fallon Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Sept. 9 about ongoing construction work, playground maintenance, a synthetic turf project at Badazi and public-art spending.
Staff said crews installed new roofs at Brendan's Playground and the skate park, built a new sidewalk from Brendan's Playground down to the tennis courts to improve pedestrian circulation between upper and lower fields, and closed the rear playground at Dean's Park for a full replacement. Multiple playground work orders were completed to address worn bushings and other wear-and-tear concerns.
On the Badazi turf project, staff said the awarded contractor, ATG, is "probably about 95% done with the design part of it." Staff expects to submit plans to the city for permitting and anticipated contractor mobilization around Oct. 1, with a projected completion in mid-April next year if winter conditions are favorable. "We'll have that probably ready to go to city to get permitted, and they'll be ready to go October 1," staff said.
Recreation staff reported sponsorships are strong; $66,000 in sponsorship commitments were reported, which staff said exceeds the 2025 budgeted total by about 26%. Staff also discussed community events — Fall into the Arts (Sept. 21) and a Food Truck Fright and Film (Oct. 10) — and noted O'Day Amphitheater and Renaud Center maintenance and programming.
On public art and capital spending, staff said the department plans to purchase a single sculptural bench (artwork fabricated from sections of a large wind-turbine component) at an estimated $10,000 and will issue a call for artists to paint the piece before siting it in a park. Staff characterized the purchase as an artwork acquisition rather than a standard bench procurement.
The board asked for and received clarification on the number and cost of benches (staff said just one bench at about $10,000), vendor participation for events, and why some vendor sign-ups decreased this year. Staff said they will consider options like deposits to improve vendor commitment for future events.
