Parks staff outline renovation, grant seeks and pool schedule ahead of spring season

Parks and recreation staff reported multiple renovation and maintenance projects underway and said they are pursuing grant funding that could cover trail lighting, stadium‑lighting repairs and accessibility upgrades at the municipal pool.

Adrian, the recreation authority, told the board that “Landmark's proposal for the full renovation was approved as we decided in the past city council,” and that materials have already been ordered, though a firm April start date is still pending additional information and vendor scheduling. Adrian said staff are seeking a rural‑Texas grant to fund pathway lighting on the Coconut Fitness and Coconut Loop Trails and have discussed coordination with TxDOT for work on sections abutting Hendricks Avenue and the Loop Road.

The grant ideas list, compiled during staff meetings and an on‑site review, totals roughly $800,000 in candidate projects, the city manager said. Items on the list include lighting and sidewalk upgrades, ADA ramp and restroom improvements, shade structures, accessible picnic tables and repairs to recreation‑site fences and restrooms.

Adrian identified specific repair needs at the Coconut Little League fields, saying three stadium light poles were struck by lightning and that one quotation under consideration was in the neighborhood of $147,000 for the set (the figure was given by staff as an estimate). Because of the timing, the city secured temporary lighting: the Little League’s opening is set for March 28, and the board heard that the county and Alpine Police loaned power towers to supply lighting while permanent repairs are planned.

Staff also reported other equipment and maintenance steps: Adrian said the city approved an order for a pull‑behind roller described in the transcript as a “1,836 inch wide pull behind sticker burr roller” to reduce sticker burr problems on fields; the specification was presented as‑transcribed and has not been independently verified. Staff are finalizing park reservation policies and are still collecting the final quote needed to buy an ADA pool lift that will require multiple bids before purchase.

David, the department supervisor, gave a maintenance update that covered new signs, sidewalk relocation work where a waterline required additional testing, restroom floor repairs and the relocation of storage behind the municipal pool. He said the dog park project is delayed pending arrival of large materials and that electrical work for a pavilion is awaiting materials to set braces before the contractor can proceed. David also reported routine fertilization, watering and backflow‑valve testing; only one valve failed testing and staff plan repairs.

On pool operations, a city manager representative told the board that the pool agreement had been executed by both parties, supplies are being ordered and scheduling is underway; staff discussed the typical opening around Memorial Day and said lifeguard hiring and policy work are in progress. A parks staff member said they attended a recent career fair to recruit lifeguards, plan to post lifeguard positions online, ordered bilingual safety signage, and will tour out‑of‑town aquatic facilities with the aquatic director and the grant writer to inform local procedures.

Board members asked about additional seating at Coconut Park, volunteer help for painting murals and tree planting; staff described plans to coordinate volunteers (including a leadership volunteer day) and to plant roughly ten donated trees with youth volunteers helping to install and document the plantings.

Next steps for staff include finalizing grant applications, obtaining the remaining ADA‑lift bids, proceeding with ordered supplies and returning to the board with scheduling and procurement updates. The board adjourned at 5:52 p.m.