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Martinsville park board hears operations report; consultant review and facility repairs highlighted
Summary
Board reviewed park operations, including reusable cup sales, sponsorships (one $250 sponsorship sold), 2026 events scheduling, consultant site visits by Pros Consulting (project to run through April 2027), and ongoing restroom plumbing and snow-removal issues.
The Martinsville City park board spent much of its Feb. 10 meeting receiving a detailed parks operations update from parks staff, which covered new reusable cup merchandise, sponsorship sales, 2026 event bookings, a consultant site visit, and ongoing facility maintenance challenges.
Ashley, a parks staff presenter, showed a sample reusable cup proposed for the 2026 season—royal blue with a lid and straw—intended to reduce single-use cups and to be sold at a flat price with cheaper refills. She told the board the parks’ new computer system now includes sponsorship packages and a facility-usage report that breaks revenue down by month, and that the department has already sold one sponsorship for the Easter egg hunt: a $250 "chocolate bunny" sponsor.
Staff reviewed programming and bookings for 2026, saying seven concerts and July 4 events are mostly contracted; a few food-truck dates remain open. Luke (park staff) nearly completed nature-night programming, with one date (believed to be April 1) still unfilled. Ashley said she applied for two Visit Morgan County sponsorships—one for an adaptive swim night in June and another for a movie night—and was awaiting responses.
Pros Consulting visited parks despite recent heavy snow and conducted a drive-around and interviews; staff printed the project plan and said the consultant will return to inspect shelter houses and conduct stakeholder interviews, with the overall project due to wrap in about April 2027. Robin McDaniel, who attended part of the consultant visit, said the consultants’ questions were “really thorough” and emphasized strengths, weaknesses and cross-department interaction.
The board also reviewed maintenance needs. Ashley reported persistent problems with bathrooms near the pickleball courts: scopes and contractor inspections have not identified clear blockages, and one restroom reportedly had been out of order since April. The water department and contractors have inspected lines and suggested water pressure as a possible factor; staff replaced a Sloan valve and continued diagnostics. Park crews spent substantial time on snow removal; Ashley said Patrick Maxwell and his crew cleared the parking lot when crews lacked appropriate equipment.
Staff noted upcoming public outreach: Ashley will give an annual report to the city council on Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. The board confirmed its next meeting for March 10 at 6 p.m.
