Local volunteer asks CAC for small recurring funds to run "Art in the Park" program

Tracy Savina, introduced by staff as a part-time parks employee appearing in a citizen capacity, told the Arts & Culture Commission she piloted a neighborhood art program this fall and winter at Eric Park to engage residents around native-plant demonstration gardens and bring more people into improved park spaces. "I created a demonstration garden, native plant demonstration garden at Eric Park," she said, describing pumpkin-carving and rock-painting events run with limited outreach.

Savina said the program’s purpose is to make parks welcoming and inclusive and to encourage community connection. She asked the commission for recurring, modest funding to keep sessions free: "Art supplies are not cheap...probably $50 would do it," she told the commission when asked about an expected per-session cost.

Commissioners and staff discussed logistics and outreach. Lucia Magnusson, web and digital content strategist, and others said events could be listed on the city events calendar and tied to existing Parks & Rec programs such as Second Saturdays. Commissioners suggested forming a simple monthly allocation or adding a standing agenda item next meeting with a specific budget request. Several members also urged the presenter to provide a brief proposal with projected supplies, frequency and square footage (for larger projects) before the February meeting.

Savina said the program is drop-in friendly and that she planned to provide supplies for walk-up participation while continuing to use QR codes for signups to help with planning. One commissioner offered to donate gently used art supplies. Staff noted that if CAC sponsored activities, they could be added to the commission’s events calendar.

Next steps: commissioners asked Savina to return with a concise budget request and proposed schedule at the February meeting or to submit materials by email or agenda packet so the commission could consider a formal allocation.