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Parks commission pays tribute to longtime volunteer, outlines 10 priorities for 2026
Summary
Meridian’s Parks and Recreation Commission honored longtime commissioner John Nesmith and outlined 10 goals for 2026, from supporting the new community center and pathway expansions to park upgrades and arts theming, commissioners said at the April 28 council meeting.
Chair Joer, speaking for Meridian’s Parks and Recreation Commission, opened the commission’s April 28 update by honoring John Nesmith, a nearly 20-year commissioner who “was a true Meridian native born and raised right here in the Treasure Valley,” Joer said. The commission paused so members could recognize Nesmith’s longtime service and contributions to pathways, signage and impacts-fee review.
After the tribute Joer reviewed the commission’s 10 goals for 2026. Top priorities include participating in the design and programming of the city’s new community center, supporting a connected pathways system with improved amenities and completed segments — including an underpass under Highway 16 and a new railway-trail segment — and finishing the Five Mile Creek trail hub restroom site. Joer said the commission had documented roughly 53,000 square feet of open space and amenities planned for the Rolling Hills site discussed later in the meeting.
Other goals listed by the commission included advancing a pathways master-plan update, continuing feedback on park improvements (Fuller Park sidewalk, a ninja-style challenge course at Discovery Park, expanded dog-park facilities and shade structures), partnering with the city arts commission for themed park art, supporting improvements at Lake View Golf Course (including pond work and new restrooms), pursuing a new park site in northwest Meridian, strengthening collaborations with other agencies and community groups, sustaining operations of the Meridian pool and improving resident communication tools such as an interactive pathways map on the city website.
Council members thanked Joer and the commission for the presentation and for the tribute to Nesmith. Councilmembers asked follow-up questions about Lake View rebranding, pathways staffing and the pathways master-plan schedule. Joer said design meetings and resident feedback remain active and that the master-plan update is in its final stages.
The presentation concluded with council praise for the commission’s work and a short break before the night’s trust and land-use items. The commission’s summary to council included specific project milestones commissioners said are already under way, and the presentation served as the formal record of the commission’s priorities for the year.
