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Parks & Recreation reports strong summer use and ongoing capital work; splash pad targeted for 2026
Summary
Director Chris Borden told the committee Meriden's pools, playgrounds and summer programs are seeing high use: about 150 daily pool users and roughly 150 kids per week in playground programs. Capital work includes Hubbard Pool House roof completion, bridge repurposing, and a 55%‑complete Daffodil Building replacement.
The committee heard the July parks and recreation report from Director Chris Borden, who highlighted rising program participation and multiple capital projects across Meriden parks.
Borden said the Hubbard Pool House roof project is complete and the pool is operating successfully; the outdoor pool at Hubbard is "averaging about a 150 folks a day." Swim lessons returned this year for the first time since 2019 and Borden said about 90 percent of children in the current session are learning to swim. The playground program is serving "about a 150 kids a week," he said, with sites averaging three field trips per week.
Capital projects mentioned included replacement of the Daffodil Building (about 55% complete), window replacement and upcoming roof work for the Hubbard Skate House, design completion for a splash pad targeted for summer 2026, and repurposing an old pedestrian bridge for a different park crossing. Borden also reported improved turf and fencing at athletic fields, which has increased tournament rentals.
Council members praised staff responsiveness, noted trash and litter remain a significant maintenance burden in parks, and asked that the department continue outreach to encourage community care for public spaces. No committee action was required on the reports; directors asked council members to help publicize programs like the bottle‑redemption events to sustain contractor participation.
