Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parks director highlights playground replacements, pickleball growth and boat-dock work
Summary
Parks director Mr. Thomas told the council the department replaced aging playgrounds, rebuilt two boat docks, added an ADA-accessible parking lot at the soccer complex and launched expanded adult sports programming (including pickleball with more than 50 signups); staff will request appropriations for a larger dock in winter.
Parks director Mr. Thomas told the Russellville City Council on Oct. 16 that the parks department expanded programming and completed several capital projects this year, including replacing two roughly 26-year-old playground units, rebuilding two boat docks, installing a kayak launch and moving into a new maintenance shop.
“if you have not been to pickle ball, you're missing out,” Mr. Thomas said, describing more than 50 signups in the league’s first year and steady nightly use of six courts. He said the department added adult leagues — including kickball and basketball this year — and is planning volleyball and possibly adult flag football.
Mr. Thomas said crews resurfaced playground surfaces, upgraded ADA access at several sites and installed roughly 81 new parking spaces at the soccer complex with new sidewalks to the concessions area. He reported high tournament activity: “We’ve picked up another one this weekend… I think we had 50 teams last weekend,” producing significant visitor traffic to the city’s facilities.
Other capital items he listed included new turf and backstops at Shiloh, a slide at MJ Hickey Pool funded entirely by local leadership (no city funds), and plans to replace a larger dock (Illinois’s Bio) during winter; he said he expects to return in December or January to request appropriation for that work. Mr. Thomas also thanked staff and volunteers who helped with docks and park projects.
The director closed by promoting upcoming community events tied to parks programming, including KidsFest and the Christmas parade, and invited council members and the public to visit the new and improved facilities.
