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Parks staff update: grant applications, capital projects and holiday preparations
Summary
Staff reported two unsuccessful grant applications, active grant applications seeking $225,000 and $55,000 for vegetation mitigation and restroom/rewilding work, new hires/assignments and ongoing operations including Christmas tree setup and maintenance work.
City parks staff provided monthly updates to the Parks Commission on Nov. 20 covering grants, capital projects and operations.
Staff reported that a CIS wildfire risk-management grant and an OEM hazard-mitigation grant were unsuccessful. The city submitted an Action Implementation and Mitigation (AIM/COCO) application on Oct. 16, 2025 requesting $225,000 to support vegetation removal and hazardous-fuels mitigation at John Toppitz Park; staff said work is ongoing and being monitored for grant scope compliance. Staff also reported a Reiser Family Foundation application filed Aug. 1, 2025 requesting $55,000 for restroom and rewilding-related work, with funding decisions expected in December 2025.
Operations updates included recently installed Christmas trees in the visitor center and Empire, a new marina host hire (Eric Charman), trail widening and brush cleanup at John Toppitz Park, a new entrance sign at John Toppitz Park and use of a cooperative purchasing group (Gordian Group) to speed procurement on boardwalk and roofing projects. Staff said two boardwalk projects (retaining wall and handrail) and a reroofing scope are moving into preconstruction and that work may begin after winter.
Commissioners asked to add OBAB’s requested tree-planting item to a future agenda and discussed scheduling a parks-program adoption conversation at an upcoming work session.
