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Parks capital plan: $330,000 trail upgrades tied to grant; council discusses skate park, cameras and FTFC easements
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Summary
Council reviewed parks and green-space capital requests including $330,000 in trail upgrades contingent on a grant, plans to replace Highland Park playground (breaking ground June 1), possible skate-park re-application, and confirmed that city cameras will be kept off trails; staff described collaboration with the Fort Thomas Forest Conservancy on easement adjustments.
Staff presented Parks and Green Space budget sections and capital projects, with emphasis on trail upgrades and playground work.
Presenter (speaker 4) told council that Parks personnel costs are projected at about $549,250 and that capital requests total approximately $538,500. The largest capital request is $330,000 for trail upgrades, which staff said "will only be spent if we get that grant," and that the grant requires a local match. Staff said a decision on some grants is expected in May.
On Highland Park, staff confirmed the playground replacement will break ground June 1 and said the old equipment will be removed; the skate-park previously proposed for the site was withdrawn but can be re-applied for with updated estimates and designs. "If council wants to move forward again with a skatepark, we can do that," staff said (Staff member, speaker 2).
Council clarified camera policy for trails: council member (speaker 9) asked, "We're keeping the cameras off the trails, right?" Staff replied, "There's no cameras on trails," noting that cameras are intended to protect infrastructure such as restrooms rather than to monitor trail users.
Staff also described coordination with the Fort Thomas Forest Conservancy (FTFC), which holds conservation easements in Tower Park and owns a few parcels such as the River Road hillside. A negotiated adjustment to a FTFC survey line near basketball courts was discussed; staff said the city will cover $2,000 for survey adjustments.
Why it matters: the trail upgrades are grant-dependent and involve design choices (drainage, erosion control, user separation) that affect long-term trail durability. Playground and skate-park planning respond to increased youth participation in recreation programs.
Next steps: staff will send council the original grant documents and initial design proposals, update cost estimates for the skate-park if council requests it, and return with a plan that aligns grant timelines with the capital budget.
