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Park board recommends grant-focused timeline and declines splash pad at downtown Festival Lot
Summary
Parks Director Kevin Teague presented Park Board recommendations: pursue design grants in 2026–27, seek construction grants in 2028–29, and plan construction in 2030 depending on funding. The Park Board advised against placing a splash pad on the Festival Lot due to space and safety concerns and proposed interim activation ideas.
Parks Director Kevin Teague presented the Park Board’s recommendations for the proposed downtown Festival Lot at the Monroe City Council meeting on Feb. 17.
Teague told council the board recommends seeking grant opportunities for project design in 2026, completing design in 2027 using grants or park CIP funds, seeking construction grants in 2028–29 with match included in the 2029–30 budget, and planning construction in 2030 depending on available grants, levy proceeds or CIP funds. He said having a shovel-ready design will improve grant competitiveness.
On a key programmatic question, Teague said the Park Board “does not recommend a splash pad be incorporated into the festival lot,” citing limited space that would reduce the site’s primary function and raising safety concerns. The board recommends evaluating splash-pad location and scale as part of a 2027 PROS plan update that would assess the whole park system.
Teague also presented a brainstorm list of interim activation ideas (unevaluated for cost or priority): use and repair parking-lot lighting, extend downtown string lights, install signage identifying the space as future public space, schedule food trucks and seasonal pop-ups, host art shows or a temporary ice rink, provide co-working space in the Bank Building with city Wi‑Fi, reserve meeting space for community groups, stage the ATV parade and host weekend tournament events.
Councilmembers responded with a mix of support and caution. Councilmember Beaumont noted the festival-lot concept originated with the Hispanic community in 2008 and praised the Park Board’s work; Blake (Councilmember Blair) urged less parking and more people-space at the site; Gamble highlighted that the lot also fulfills a prior council master-plan commitment to increase downtown parking. Teague said lease negotiations with the chamber are in final legal review and he hoped the lease would be finalized by the end of the month. No formal council decision was taken on design or funding; staff will bring future design and funding items back to council.
