Staff report: tree planting, fountain recommissioning and Heights Aquatic Center progress

Sean, Parks and Planning staff, reported improvements and near-term volunteer opportunities during the April 14 commission meeting.

Sean said a volunteer tree-planting event is scheduled for April 22 at Crowley Park and asked commissioners to help recruit volunteers. He described recent pavement and channel-drain repairs at Gallatin Plaza ahead of the Cottonwood festival and outlined the two-week recommissioning of the Gallatin Plaza fountain: contractors addressed the fountain’s underground vault systems, replaced a dehumidifier on the air compressor that powers the fountain and performed air-conditioning and electrical work so fountain daily operation could resume soon.

On staffing, Sean announced a promotion to support the new contract supervisor and said the department has posted two technical openings — a chemical application specialist and a park forestry technician — with internal promotions preferred where suitable candidates exist.

Separately, Spencer Duall provided a Recreation Athletics update: a collapsed coupling and clogged main drain at Heights Recreation Center required excavation and repair; the Heights Family Aquatic Center refresh is reported at roughly 75–80% complete with the pump room refurbished and the new play structure about 95% complete. Spencer said artificial turf installation at the Heights site is planned for May and that slides and other deck work are underway.

The commission acknowledged staff work and encouraged community participation in tree planting and upcoming events.