Nampa Parks director outlines master-plan goals, large Midway Park request and cemetery bid plan

Cody Swander, director of Nampa Parks and Recreation, delivered the department’s annual update to the City Council, outlining four master-plan goals and a slate of FY27 capital requests that include a large package for Midway Park and a request to solicit bids for a cemetery Scattering Garden. Swander said the department balances maintenance, programming and capital work while trying to keep tax subsidy low.

Swander summarized the master plan’s priorities as: improving efficiency; maintaining and upgrading facilities and amenities; improving program and service delivery; and increasing financial opportunities. "We have 4 broad based goals from our parks and rec master plan that drive our thinking and shape our priorities," Swander said, adding that the department is using asset-management software and a new GIS dashboard to track assets and work orders.

On staffing and operations, Swander told the council that the department relies heavily on part-time and seasonal employees—about 84% of positions—to save labor costs, citing roughly $23,500 saved per hire versus a full-time benefited employee. He said the department currently has about 65 full-time employees and uses seasonal…