Carson City parks director outlines Carriage Crest expansion, mills park delays and $102,000 maintenance grant

The Carson Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Cultural Arts Commission heard an extensive construction and maintenance update on March 26, during which Director Mike Whitaker described progress at Carriage Crest Park, a contractor change at Mills Park, and a grant to fix outdoor fitness equipment.

Whitaker told the commission that substantial work is underway at Carriage Crest Park and that the project team is expanding the site from about 5 acres to roughly 15 acres, adding two high‑school‑size soccer fields, multiple baseball fields, three pickleball courts, two full basketball courts, outdoor fitness equipment, a new playground and an electronic marquee. “We want to ensure you are equipped with the most current and accurate information to confidently address these inquiries,” Whitaker said as staff prepared to present renderings and photos.

Superintendent (Recreation) Gerson gave schedule details for major items. He said Carriage Crest’s estimated completion window is June–July 2026 and described features including additional parking, an entryway off Moneta and new restrooms and maintenance storage. Gerson also said outdoor fitness repairs at five parks (Anderson, Cals, Dolphin, Dominguez and Hemingway) are being funded through a pass‑through LA County grant and that parts are ordered with an expected repair completion by November. “No money coming out of the city’s reserves or anything for this,” Gerson said of the fitness grant.

Mills Park, however, is behind schedule. Whitaker and Gerson said the originally selected contractor produced substandard work, forcing staff to terminate that contract and re‑bid the project. Gerson said the project is paused while 100% construction drawings are completed; staff hope to award a new contract this year and finish Mills Park by December or January, but cautioned that weather and supply issues could push dates. “We had to go back out and get a new contractor,” Whitaker said, adding that the change slowed the schedule.

Park maintenance superintendent Modesto Bolanos gave operational updates tied to the construction work and regular upkeep, including laser leveling at several baseball fields ahead of the season and planned resurfacing for aquatics slides at Dominguez and Hemingway after an RFP process. Bolanos described a five‑year maintenance scope tied to the slide work. “We awarded a bidder… and then from there, we’re gonna go ahead and resurface both of those slides, but also including a five‑year maintenance project,” Bolanos said.

Funding and oversight: Gerson confirmed a $102,000 LA County grant will be used for the fitness equipment repairs and emphasized the work is a pass‑through grant rather than an allocation from city reserves. Whitaker said the commission will receive a construction status item each month until renovations finish.

What’s next: Staff will continue to complete construction drawings for Mills Park, move Carriage Crest through final construction phases, proceed through procurement for the paused projects, and deliver monthly updates to the commission. Whitaker asked staff to keep the commission informed so members can answer resident inquiries about timelines and access.

The commission did not take formal votes specific to project awards during this meeting; regular project approvals will go before council as required by procurement policies.