Commission hears grants update; Safe Routes to School kickoff and Front Street planning noted

Staff provided a grants and capital improvements update to the Parks Commission. Key items included a recommendation for funding from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for the Dominguez Park restroom project (total cost reported as $572,441 with $343,465 recommended grant funding and a city match of $228,976). Staff said the Oregon Park staff will present the project to the board in September for final approval.

Staff also noted a $40,000 Mingus Rewilding grant awarded in 2024 and that a letter of intent asking for $100,000 is under review. The Mingus Park community building (Scout cabin) application was submitted to place the structure on the National Register of Historic Places on 06/28/2024; Oregon Parks requested revisions and asked for a resubmission by 11/01/2024.

On planning fronts, staff reported a Safe Routes to School kickoff and a consultant-led analysis of a two-mile radius around Sunset Middle School, Destination Academy and Marshfield High School to identify bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Staff said a joint Sept. 24 work session with council would review the Front Street-to-Mingus Park corridor and 30% design materials covering the northern portion; commissioners asked staff to bring more of the Front Street 30% plans to a September meeting and discussed ODOT coordination for potential crossings on Highway 101.