Residents press council to fix Walker Park upkeep; council asks staff to draft contract application policy

Residents and council members pressed for a clearer process for awarding city ball-field contracts during a long discussion at the Jan. 13 Winnsboro City Council meeting.

Taylor Williams, who identified herself as a Winnsboro resident at the podium, described a coed Sunday league and said Walker Park fields had maintenance problems: "the lights don't work, ... it's not mowed, and the field doesn't work...it's kinda dangerous for us," she told the council. Williams said she and others have concerns about the current contractor's maintenance and asked how the upcoming contract would be handled.

Staff explained that Walker Park and Lions Park have separate contract arrangements and that the current Walker Park contract had been extended through February. Councilmembers and staff discussed options including an RFP, a simple application with scoring criteria, a rotating schedule or first-come/first-served rules. Council members repeatedly emphasized the need for clear expectations for maintenance, mowing, lining, trash, lighting and insurance.

Council agreed the city should create a written application and scoring process that asks prospective operators to describe maintenance plans, insurance, program offerings and public-access policies. Staff said it would draft the criteria and bring it back to council for review before March contract renewals. Several council members said the previous contract-holder had maintained Lions Park well and recommended keeping that longstanding arrangement in place unless the city decides otherwise.

Mayor (name not specified) and staff noted the Walker Park land was donated with a condition for park use, so the city will preserve it as parkland. Council directed staff to draft an application and scoring rubric and present it at a future meeting for council approval.