Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parks director outlines summer events, facility work; commission approves scoreboard purchase and Butler Drive grant match
Summary
Parks & Recreation reported renovations, new skateboard-park work, expanded pickleball and growing youth program enrollment; the commission approved scoreboard replacements (NEFCO quote ~$49,909) via sponsorships and accepted an $80,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for Butler Drive park with a city match.
Parks & Recreation Director Tommy Barton (S13) gave a comprehensive update on capital work and summer programming, telling the commission renovations on three baseball fields and Millennium Park playground are complete, skateboard-park site prep is beginning June 15, and pickleball construction will follow. Barton said construction at Millennium Park will temporarily remove one basketball court but staff has refurbished a second court and relocated baskets to maintain capacity.
Barton reported program growth: baseball/softball registrations increased by 81 to 565 participants this year, the swim team grew from about 25 to 45 swimmers, and day-camp registration reached 99 (up from ~75 last year). He also outlined major events, including Juneteenth activities in Ginny Rogers and Michael Smith parks and a July 3 Eddie Montgomery concert (with professional parking and shuttles planned).
On infrastructure, staff presented a NEFCO quote of $49,908.80 to replace eight scoreboards at Millennium Park and discussed funding the purchase with leftover capital funds and a sponsorship program; the commission approved the related resolution. Separately, staff explained a Kentucky Department for Local Government Land and Water Conservation Fund grant that will provide $80,000 toward replacement of the Butler Drive playground and requires a $80,000 city match budgeted in FY2027; commissioners approved acceptance of the grant and match.
Barton: "We're pretty excited about a full day [for Juneteenth]," and outlined logistics for the July events, including shuttles from the high school and use of the fairgrounds for overflow parking.
Next steps: staff to advertise scoreboard sponsorship opportunities, finalize purchase if sponsorship route is confirmed, and execute grant and match paperwork for Butler Drive playground work.
