Parks board backs suicide-prevention signs, agrees to ask council to approve order

The Trenton Parks and Recreation Board voted Nov. 18 to ask the City Council to approve and allow staff to order suicide-prevention signs for city parks.

Service Director Brad Baker told the board the signs are part of a regional suicide-awareness initiative being coordinated by a county contact, and that participating communities already have similar signage. "What they're trying to do is prevent suicide and get people help," Baker said, describing proposed placements at East Avenue, West Avenue and Community Park.

Baker said the county’s signs would cost about $57–$60 each but the city's vendor could supply similar signage for roughly $25 per sign if the artwork aligns. He asked the board for locations and permission to proceed with ordering; the board moved to present the request to council and authorize staff to begin the order process. The motion carried on a roll-call vote recorded as 'yay' by the listed members.

Board members discussed placement timing and whether to wait for master-plan changes at Home Avenue; Baker said moving a post is straightforward and that staff can relocate signs later if needed. Board members also asked Baker to confirm final sizes and to return final location recommendations if the board did not set them immediately.

Next steps: the parks board will forward the recommendation to council so staff may place the order and coordinate installation once artwork and locations are finalized.