Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parks & Recreation Board outlines Monmouth Recreation Park upgrades, awards three grants and plans inclusive playground
Summary
Parks & Recreation Board chair Ryan Knack told council that parking and paths at Monmouth Recreation Park are complete, design for a bathroom/picnic pavilion is ready, two pickleball courts are under construction and three recreation grants were awarded to local programs.
Ryan Knack, the newly appointed chair of the Monmouth Parks & Recreation Board, updated the council on a mix of completed work, near‑term construction and grant awards at the city's parks.
Knack said parking-lot improvements and walking paths at Monmouth Recreation Park were finished this summer and that design for a bathroom and picnic pavilion is complete and expected to be ready for construction early next summer. He said the board appreciates the council's approval to overturn a wetland impact variance so the gazebo and boardwalk construction can proceed pending final permitting.
On play space, Knack reported the skate‑park landscaping design is complete and expected to finish this fall and that two pickleball courts were moved from the old tennis location to the old skate-park site to respond to neighborhood concerns; "2 courts going in…so that should be completed this fall," he said.
The board reviewed a licensed arborist's inventory of Main Street Park and recommended replacements and trimming to address safety and tree health. Knack said the board changed the Monmouth Recreation Grant application to reduce barriers and awarded three grants this year: a bike rodeo for Monmouth Elementary School that served 85 fifth graders; a three‑day youth activities program serving 58 families; and a Music in the Park series produced with Ash Creek Arts Center and the Monmouth Business Association.
Knack also said the board plans to recommend play equipment that is inclusive and accessible as part of the parks master plan; construction is planned for summer 2027 and will require pursuing grant funds because accessible equipment is costly.
Councilors asked clarifying questions about tennis‑court resurfacing, placement of the new play equipment and the possibility of applying for outside grants; board members said they will seek grant opportunities and consider parent and community experts as advisors.
No formal council action was taken; the board will continue planning and seek funding as design and permitting proceed.
