Olivette City parks update: parking-lot paving, Centennial Greenway progress and splash-pad outreach

City parks staff told the Parks & Recreation Commission the upper parking lot repair is nearly complete and crews are reclaiming existing pavement as base material for new asphalt to reduce costs and hauling. Work began the week before the June 26 meeting and staff said the upper lot work should take about two weeks, with the lower lot tentatively slated to begin after that (staff mentioned a tentative July 8 start, weather permitting). The finish of both lots was tied to readiness of the splash pad and associated parking and striping; staff said they hope to have key work done by Labor Day if weather cooperates.

Commissioners also heard a status update on the Centennial Greenway: contractors have been installing concrete trail sections and constructing bioretention ponds, and staff reported tree plantings to replace removed ash trees. One commissioner recounted an earlier project schedule that targeted completion of a segment in winter 2024–25 with subsequent links into 2026, and staff confirmed multi-stage phasing depending on weather and access points.

On amenities and outreach, commissioners expressed surprise that many nearby residents were unaware of the Villa Park splash pad despite the facility being open at times; staff said early openings and necessary repairs contributed to limited awareness and pledged intensified promotion now that multiple splash pads are operating this summer. Commissioners also praised recent new memorial benches installed across parks and discussed creating an easier digital donation path ("bench fund") through the city’s foundation to streamline private gifts for park amenities.

Because the commission lacked a quorum, staff emphasized these are operational updates and that any capital or policy approvals would return to a future meeting.