Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Administration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Orono parks staff report resignation, new superintendent and project updates
Summary
Staff reported a resignation by a commission member, introduced Taylor as the new parks and facilities superintendent (start date given), and updated commissioners on maintenance, the near‑complete Lorton Park parking expansion and ongoing grant efforts.
Staff reported that the commission had received an email from Jersey, Duvall tendering her resignation, creating a vacancy on the commission. The staff member who briefed the body said they would notify the city council and look to alternates for an appointment to the primary seat.
The staff update introduced Taylor, the incoming parks and facilities superintendent, who the briefing said will officially start on the 19th of August. Taylor gave a short summary of his background, saying he had spent the previous 11 years at Interlochen Country Club and was looking forward to the new role.
Staff reviewed recent maintenance and completed work across the park system: preparation of beaches and docks for the season, a new pavilion at the golf course, new apple tree plantings, upgraded playground mulch at Navarre Playground, periodic maintenance trips to Big Island including vault‑toilet pumping, and a mower replacement for Big Island following equipment failure. The briefing noted the annual playground safety inspections are underway.
Project updates included the Lorton Park parking expansion, which staff said is near completion with restoration remaining; the expansion nearly doubled parking capacity and added an ADA space. Staff said a watershed requirement added a storm pond to the project; the pond has not yet established vegetation and has produced a brown puddle noted by members and residents. Staff also said they had applied for a D & R grant and were not selected this year; they plan to reapply for Hennepin County youth sports grants and other opportunities.
The commission set a work session on October 8 to review commission priorities and the CIP, and scheduled a formal meeting on November 4 to discuss 2025 project priorities. A motion to adjourn was made and approved at the end of the meeting.
