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Parks director outlines 2025 gains, projects and first food-and-beverage tax installment
Summary
Parks Director Denise Retz presented a 2025 year-in-review to the Richmond Common Council, reporting 772 rentals, $381,000 in grants and the first food-and-beverage tax installment of roughly $92,000; she outlined playground, irrigation and fountain projects and urged a refreshed master and maintenance plan to guide future spending.
Denise Retz, representing the Richmond Parks Department, told the Common Council on May 18 that Parks closed out 2025 with 772 facility rentals and $381,000 in grants and donations, and that the department is still recruiting to fill several maintenance positions.
"We had a great year," Retz said, noting growth across divisions and pointing to 1,512 members at the Senior Recreation Center and a net gain of 477 members between June and February. She highlighted new market programs and food-access initiatives that distributed 3,931 servings through a 'farm to pantry' effort and recorded 499 transactions under a 'bridging the gap' program.
Retz told council members the Parks Department received an initial food-and-beverage tax installment of about $92,000 and expects future receipts around the eighth of each month. She said Parks will coordinate outreach with the health department and the Economic Development Corporation and hold "know your numbers" events to help local food establishments comply and understand the tax.
On capital projects, Retz said the department ordered a pump (20-week build, 50 percent down) expected in early July before scheduling a larger irrigation project in fall or spring 2027; she expects playground and splash-pad work at Glen Miller Park to begin in October with a spring-ready target the following year. The Parks Department reported $50,000 in donor commitments plus $50,000 from IHCDA via Patronicity for the Hill Fountain and said it will use $64,000 of a bond anticipation note on the project.
Retz also reviewed procurement results for roof repairs: three bids were received and the lowest bid, $311,090 from Smerali, covers 13 metal roofs and one greenhouse roof with work slated to begin June 1 and finish by Aug. 1. She said that bid was $38,910 under the estimate.
Council members pressed Retz on maintenance funding, the city’s broader "rightsizing" discussions and whether some park properties should return to the tax rolls. Several members urged that operating and maintenance needs be considered alongside capital work funded by the food-and-beverage tax. Retz urged a refreshed comprehensive master plan and an integrated maintenance plan to determine what the city can sustainably support.
Retz closed by reminding the council of upcoming public engagement tied to the Glenn Miller Improvement Plan, including a farmers-market outreach on May 23 and a public workshop scheduled for June 9 at the Charles House.
