Kenosha parks commission approves event permits, leases and CIP tweaks; staff to study Washington Pool options

The City of Kenosha Board of Park Commissioners met April 14 and approved a slate of event permits, intergovernmental agreements, maintenance contracts and a capital program amendment while hearing brief public comment.

During the public comment period Jack Rose asked the commission to consider playground equipment for Power Line Park. The board then considered a series of agenda items that included sponsorship signage for Washington Park Municipal Golf Course, permits for National Night Out at Petzke Park and a Memorial Day ceremony at Navy Park, seasonal pool and library programming, youth golf programming at Washington Park, and multiple contracts for parks maintenance and capital projects.

Chris Coachman, Community Relations, told the commission the city is presenting one primary National Night Out event on Aug. 5 at Petzke Park while smaller neighborhood events may still take place: “The police are going to do their programming at Penske Park,” he said, and neighborhood sites could continue without full police and fire participation due to resource constraints. Ruth Dyson, a partner in the Petzke Park event, said this is the event’s second year: “Last year, it was a great turnout, and we're looking for an even bigger turnout this year.” Those event permits were approved.

The board approved a facility use agreement with Wisconsin Educational Youth Development, doing business as 1st Tee Southeast Wisconsin, for youth programming at Washington Park Municipal Golf Course and an intergovernmental agreement with Kenosha County to provide coaching and equipment support for the program. Staff said programming generally serves children roughly 7–16 years old and that there is no program fee beyond normal course charges.

The commission also approved operating and financing arrangements for golf carts — a maintenance and storage lease with Harris Golf Cars through Jan. 8, 2031, and a related financing agreement with Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation — and multiple maintenance contracts, including $82,000 for asphalt repairs at the Armory Building at Hobbs Park and a $240,000 tree-removal contract awarded to Landscape Concepts Management.

On capital planning, the board approved a Finance Committee amendment to the City of Kenosha Capital Improvement Program to create PK25-003, a $25,000 Washington Park feasibility study. Parks staff said the study will evaluate options and estimated costs ahead of the budget cycle and is not intended to eliminate the aquatic facility; it will be completed in time to inform the upcoming budget process. The resolution to record $280,000 in outside funding for athletic facility improvements was also approved to correct CIP accounting for an already-awarded project.

Staff answered commissioners’ procedural questions on programming details for library Park events and Park & Play story times, noting that some event applications include general descriptions (amplified half-hour story time, bookmobile stop and hour of play) but may not list final programming specifics; questions about on-street parking for some bookmobile stops were referred to public works.

The meeting concluded after the board approved the remaining items and adjourned.

Votes at a glance - Item 2: Sponsorship signage at Washington Park Municipal Golf Course — approved (motion carried). - Item 3: Petzke Park National Night Out event — approved. - Item 4: Navy Park Memorial Day ceremony (Navy Club Ship 40) — approved. - Item 5: Washington Park pool family swim/World’s Largest Swimming Lesson event — approved. - Item 6: Simmons library 125th-anniversary celebration in Library Park — approved. - Item 7: Park & Play story-time schedule at multiple parks — approved. - Item 8: Facility use agreement with 1st Tee Southeast Wisconsin — approved. - Item 9: Intergovernmental agreement with Kenosha County (1st Tee support) — approved. - Item 10: Operating lease with Harris Golf Cars — approved. - Item 11: Financing/agreements with Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation — approved. - Item 12: CIP amendment creating PK25-003, Washington Park feasibility study ($25,000) — approved. - Item 13: CIP accounting correction reflecting $280,000 outside funding for athletic improvements — approved. - Item 14: Armory Building asphalt repairs contract award ($82,000) — approved. - Item 15: Tree removal contract award ($240,000) — approved.

What’s next Parks staff will proceed with the approved event permits and contracts. The Washington Park feasibility study is scheduled to be completed in time to inform the summer budget cycle; no formal changes to the pool were adopted at this meeting. The commission adjourned after approving the agenda items.