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Parks committee signs off on strategic-plan edits and reviews five-year CIP, targets staff hire by summer
Summary
Committee approved minor edits to the parks strategic plan, including hiring an event/program coordinator (target June–July 2026) and reviewed the five-year capital plan that includes Brain Park restroom and playground phasing changes, Greasy Park playground donation and various trail and parking projects.
Ben presented updates to the Parks, Recreation and Forestry strategic plan and reviewed the department’s five-year capital improvement plan. Changes in the packet were highlighted for committee review; staff recommended approving the edits as presented.
Among the items Ben identified: hire an event/program coordinator by June 1 (with July 1 acceptable depending on candidate availability), shift the Brain Park restroom project earlier in the phasing while pushing the pavilion and playground back a year, and continue work on park lighting and recent pickleball court installations. Ben identified project cost estimates in the CIP, including a Brain Park parking lot ($395,000), a donated Greasy Park playground valued at $750,000, and placeholders for Wildwood improvements and a longer-term destination playground.
On Brain Park specifically, staff reported the plan to seek modular restroom options, with designs expected by May and bid documents targeted for June so construction could proceed later this year. Ben said they had coordinated with the Board of Public Works, finance and council on the phasing changes and that all groups had approved the adjustment.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about timing and annual asphalt allocations; Ben explained the department typically cycles asphalt projects and may shift years based on alignment with other city work. The committee moved to approve the plan edits and the motion passed by voice vote.
The committee also reviewed cemetery and fairgrounds items in the packet and received updates on operations; cemetery maintenance and potential future columbarium needs were noted, as were fairgrounds entrance and grandstand repairs planned across the CIP.
Next steps: staff will proceed with recruitment for the event/program coordinator, finalize modular-restroom designs for Brain Park and continue project-level coordination for CIP items.
