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Wendell proclaims July Parks and Recreation Month, hears big parks update and names stadium for longtime coach
Summary
The board designated July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month, received a report showing strong participation gains and underway greenway projects, approved naming the new football stadium after volunteer coach Tukie Gully, and approved several administrative items including a fee waiver and the parks inclement‑weather policy.
The Wendell Board of Commissioners designated July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month on June 22 and received a yearly check‑in from Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Pilaski on programs and capital projects.
Pilaski told the board adult athletics and youth participation rose sharply in FY26 — he said men’s fall softball nearly doubled year‑over‑year and senior participation increased (monthly averages rose from 1,036 two years ago to 1,199 most recently). He highlighted current camps (baseball/softball, soccer, arts, and a new summer cooking camp), the town’s lunch program for youth, ongoing food‑bank services, and requests for expanded pickleball access.
On capital projects, Pilaski reported construction is underway on the Buffalo Creek Greenway and Main Street Greenway with estimated late‑summer to early‑fall completion; the Wendell athletic field complex design is near completion with construction planned in FY27; and the Carver Community Center at Pleasant Grove is under construction with completion anticipated in 2027. The parks department said it expects to move forward with a parks and recreation master‑plan contract immediately after this meeting.
Separately the board unanimously approved a parks board recommendation to name the football stadium portion of the new athletic field complex for longtime volunteer coach Tukie Gully, citing his 47 years of mentorship and community service. “I sure do miss Mr. Tukie,” Mayor Virginia Gray said as she recalled his weekly visits and mentorship to young people.
The board also approved a fee waiver for a Children with Disabilities Resource Fair scheduled Aug. 15, adopted an inclement‑weather policy using Perry Weather guidance, authorized the manager to negotiate a contract for a parks and open space plan (CPL Architects & Engineers), endorsed a downtown streetscape RFQ selection, and adopted the FY2026 budget amendment No. 6 that reflects stronger local receipts and reappropriations to FY27 capital projects.
The board closed the meeting with committee updates and community reminders, including Fourth of July event logistics for Wendell Park.
