Lawmakers press Parks Department on restroom outsourcing, Adopt‑a‑Park coverage and Matapang flooding

Lawmakers at the March 10 oversight hearing pressed the Department of Parks and Recreation on long‑standing maintenance problems, restroom operations and legal responsibility for Matapang flooding.

Senator Shawn Gumataotao cited a Guam Visitors Bureau board meeting in February 2026 that discussed DPR's inability to maintain public restrooms and reported an estimated "monthly cost for outsourcing maintenance services was estimated at just around $6,000 per restroom." Gumataotao asked how GVB's 15 maintenance staff complement DPR's work at high‑touch tourist sites; Director Angel Sablan said GVB helps with trash pickup and notifications but cannot be relied on for continuous daily coverage at every site.

Deputy Director Warren Pelletier told senators DPR revamped its restroom scope of work to hold contractors more accountable for day‑long coverage, and said the department uses contractors for restroom cleaning while DPR handles trash collection. Pelletier reported DPR currently has 23 parks adopted under Adopt‑a‑Park agreements, approximately 26 (or 27 as reported in discussion) maintained by DPR staff, and the remaining parks present a maintenance challenge.

Several senators described parks or restrooms that remain temporarily closed because of vandalism or repair needs. DPR listed four parks with closed restrooms (Skate Park, Surfside, Padre Palomo Park and Fish Eye); Fish Eye was cited as awaiting FEMA obligation for repairs. Senators urged faster action on facilities used by locals and tourists, including Epao and Matapang beaches.

On Matapang, DPR said the persistent flooding is effectively a sinkhole and falls outside DPR's direct jurisdiction; an earlier agreement tied to a hotel development treated the area as additional parking, and DPR staff said they have been unable to locate the original documents obligating the hotel owner. Sablan said legal review and coordination with land management and other agencies may be required before a permanent fix can be implemented; he also noted prior plans to site a Guam Fire Department rescue unit there would change park design if pursued.

Lawmakers pressed DPR on options to improve security and reduce vandalism. Sablan said DPR is negotiating an MOU with Guam Police Department and has been approached by a private vendor willing to install solar lighting and CCTV at no charge (an estimated $100,000–$200,000 deployment) in exchange for limited telecom access; DPR said it is evaluating legal constraints and would request legislative assistance if necessary.

Senators and DPR discussed fees and cemetery costs: DPR said interment and pavilion fees have not kept pace with current market rates and are under review through the AAA (Triple A) process; burial fees (plot plus backhoe) were described as historically around $500 and the receipts flow into the public recreation services fund used by DPR.

The committee accepted written statements within seven days. DPR's PBB documentation is due to the legislature by April 17; the committee adjourned at 3:30 p.m.