Warren County Parks unveil ‘Zoomer’ digital program, outline Ed Spear Park upgrades

Warren County Parks & Recreation on Feb. 12 unveiled “Zoomer,” a new puppet‑led digital outreach series designed to teach children basic sports skills and encourage park use, and outlined community survey findings and near‑term improvement plans for Ed Spear Park.

Derek Dean, outreach team leader for Warren County Parks & Recreation, said Zoomer is a staff‑created, county‑run digital program aimed at low‑stimulation, bite‑sized lessons for children. “Zoomer is truly a one‑of‑a‑kind product,” Dean said, and the department plans to release the first episode — “how to play baseball” — the day after the meeting. Dean said the first five episodes will also include flag football, kickball, a story‑trail walk and a “leave it better” lesson designed to encourage outdoor play and park stewardship.

The presentation also included results from a two‑month Smiths Grove community survey that drew 187 responses — about 22.5% of the city’s population, the outreach team said. Staff reported 94.6% of respondents visit Ed Spear Park at least occasionally, but 78.5% rated current park conditions “average or below.” Open‑ended responses flagged outdated playgrounds and trails, limited parking, concerns about safety and the lack of accessible restrooms.

Outreach staff described a phased plan that places restroom upgrades, lighting and trail repairs at the top of phase‑1 work. “Sixty‑seven point four percent said restroom facilities are a top priority,” an outreach presenter said, and staff said some phase‑1 items are planned for fiscal year 2026‑27. The presentation also noted efforts already under way, including quotes being obtained for synthetic turf at a playground and preparations for community events such as an annual 5K and outdoor movie nights.

Brady Kane, outreach supervisor, reviewed Quarter‑2 programming, highlighting partnerships and events that drew large participation: a charity exhibition baseball game that directed proceeds to WKU scholarships and local sport scholarships, a school‑centered trunk‑or‑treat serving multiple feeder schools, a new student advisory council at Moss Middle School that received a $1,000 student event budget, and seasonal events such as a Turkey Trot and winter wonderland programs.

The parks presentation closed with staff inviting questions and promising continued outreach and community input as they refine improvements at Ed Spear and expand Zoomer’s episodes to school and online platforms.