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Parks staff outline 2026 programs, minor repairs and website rollout
Summary
Parks staff described 2026 programming plans (nature nights, a movie club, targeted swim nights), minor facility repairs (mower, GFIs, pool pump pricing) and a new CivicREC website; staff also reported a Duke grant for a dog park feature and Gaga ball pit.
Parks staff presented plans to expand low-cost programming in 2026, outlined several maintenance items to address before spring and reported a new website and a grant intended to fund park amenities.
The superintendent and staff described upcoming programs including 'nature nights' (April–September), lunchtime 'Picnics on the path' walks, a movie club slated to begin March 18 and targeted swim nights (for groups such as home-schoolers). Staff said they hope these lower-cost programs will attract new participants and noted they are developing sponsorship packages to offset expenses.
Staff also reviewed operations and repairs: Eli built shelving in the Christmas shed and is scheduled to work on a broken mower (staff found metal fragments inside and said the mower may only be a temporary fix). The team is replacing GFIs beginning in the filter room and is pricing two pool pumps (a figure cited in the transcript was about $20.26 for two pumps). On plumbing, a general contractor who inspected the pickleball bathrooms suggested the problem appears to be water pressure-related and recommended trying larger Sloan valve inserts (from about 1.5 to 3.5) plus an additional pressure component as lower-cost first steps.
Staff reported launching a new CivicREC reservation website on Jan. 5; reservations for 2026 opened the same day and the site has already started to accept bookings. They also said the department received a Duke grant intended to support dog-park elements and a Gaga ball pit, with staff aiming to have those features in place by spring.
Staff detailed sponsorship results from 2025 — roughly $5,000 in cash sponsorships — and said they plan a sponsors-only pool party this summer as a thank-you to contributors.
Staff also noted continuing professional development (NRPA aquatic management credits) and engagement with a consultant ('Pros') on a five-year master plan; the consultant will meet with board members in small groups before broader community focus groups begin.
Staff were directed to pursue the low-cost plumbing changes before spring, finalize dugout surfacing plans (not concrete; mulch discussed) and schedule shelter-house repairs as part of ongoing maintenance work.
The board took no formal policy votes on programming or capital expenditures at the meeting; the items are at an operational or planning stage.
