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Commission prioritizes 'Premier Park' features while deferring an on-site event center in Elsie Stevens master plan discussion
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Summary
Dayton Parks Commission discussed the Elsie Stevens Park master plan, recommending prioritizing public amenities (splash pad, restrooms, playgrounds, picnic/overlook areas) over building a large event center now; staff will prepare an RFP and updated cost estimates for council review.
Commissioners spent the bulk of the meeting reviewing and refining the Elsie Stevens Park master plan. Staff described the existing packet and earlier committee work and said the plan’s large placeholder figure for a future building (previously cited in the packet as $5,000,000) is not locked in and should be refined with engineering and cost estimates before the city moves forward.
Most commissioners expressed a preference to prioritize public-facing, lower-operating-cost elements—what speakers referred to as a "Premier Park"—such as a splash pad, upgraded restrooms, improved picnic/overlook areas, seating and walkways, rather than advancing a full-scale event/conference center immediately. Commissioners noted several private or existing event venues in the area (named in discussion: Magnus, Fisher Farms, Pickett Hills, Dean’s) and raised concerns about staffing and long-term operating costs if the city were to run an event center.
Staff said they will draft an RFP for design teams that incorporates the commission’s prioritized wish list and that Paul Kangas may provide an update to the council at the next regular meeting. Commissioners also discussed possible phased delivery of the master plan items so amenity work already in progress (amphitheater seating, picnic areas) is not delayed by future planning for larger structures.
Why it matters: Prioritizing lower-maintenance amenities can open the park to more users sooner, reduce future staffing obligations and potentially make the park financially sustainable without taking on ongoing operational costs associated with a city-run event center.
What’s next: Staff will assemble RFP materials reflecting the commission’s direction, collect engineering and cost estimates for the big-ticket building if still desired, and return recommendations to the commission and council for budget consideration.
