Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Evansville Parks Board hears 2024 year‑in‑review and approves routine contracts
Summary
The Parks Department highlighted 2024 accomplishments — accessible playgrounds, lighting and asphalt repairs, new programming and trail plans — while the board approved contracts for mold remediation, concessions and parking‑lot paving and authorized a community kitchen MOU.
At its Dec. 4 meeting the Evansville City Parks Board approved multiple routine agreements and heard a detailed year‑end report from the department on accomplishments and upcoming projects.
Director Crook reviewed 2024 priorities — safety, accessibility, connectivity and activation — and summarized maintenance work completed this year, including restroom and shelter repairs, playground replacements, fountain repairs and several lighting and asphalt improvements. Crook said the department ran volunteer programs and approved 136 park use applications in 2024.
Heather O'Brady, chief operating officer at EVPL, asked the board to approve replacement signage at the EVPL west entrance because the west sign sits on parks land; the board approved the request. The board also approved a memorandum of understanding with Feed Evansville to manage the CK Newsome Center community kitchen, with the agreement specifying rental rates for non‑nonprofits and a planned opening after the new year.
Operational approvals included a contract request for mold remediation at Swander Ice Arena with Hasco (project amount stated as $67,006.14), a paving contract for the Howell‑Mosby parking lot with Superior Asphalt, and a concessions agreement to place a new concessionaire at the Swander Ice Arena penalty box area for an upcoming event. Staff said the previous concessionaire vacated with minimal notice and praised staff for quickly finding a replacement.
Laurie Van Hook of the Evansville Trails Coalition briefed the board on trail projects planned for 2025, including the trail plan completion, Lamasco bicycle skills park work, Next Level Trail loop improvements at Westwoodman Park, extension work at the Northwoods trail near Eigel Hart Park and resurfacing at Howe Wetlands; the board approved moving forward with the coalition's implementation plans.
The board accepted payroll and vendor claims by voice vote, heard no public comments, and received announcements from two long‑serving members who said this would be their last meeting after decades of service. The meeting adjourned with holiday wishes.
