Parks board appoints Dan Pollock as vice chair; staff outlines Kleckner field timeline and event plans

The Green Parks and Recreation Board elected Dan Pollock as vice chair and approved him to represent the board on the Planning and Zoning Commission during its Oct. 2 meeting.

The acting chair led the nominations and voice votes after saying the previous chair, Rachel, had resigned and that they would move into the chair role. A board member nominated Dan Pollock for vice chair; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Board members spent the bulk of the meeting on staff reports. Mike, a parks staff member, provided a construction schedule for the adaptive field at Kleckner: "Initially, you're gonna see a lot of dirt being moved," he said, adding that stormwater collection work will be installed next week and that the project should reach final subgrade around Oct. 14. Mike said the underdrains and stone will follow, concrete curb installation is expected between about Oct. 3 and Oct. 21, and staff anticipates the turf can be installed in roughly four to four-and-a-half weeks from the meeting date.

Staff also said the project is about 90% funded and is still accepting donations; any amount beyond the project goal would be allocated for future amenities such as a playground or pavilion. Pioneer Athletics, a company that provides ball-field materials and training, will run a demonstration project at Greensburg Park, staff said.

Other park updates included the Willowdale Trail, which staff said has started and will see more activity in coming weeks, and a Boy Scout project to install a Chimney Swift tower at Central Park, scheduled for Oct. 11–12. Mike, who serves as a liaison to the Veterans Advisory Commission along with another board member, encouraged attendance at the Nov. 11 Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park (or indoors at the Queen of Heaven Life Parish if weather requires a move).

A board member relayed outreach from the executive director of the Green Chapel about a 1.3-mile gravel trail on chapel property. The director asked whether the city might collaborate—paving the trail for ADA accessibility, adding pickleball courts or a pavilion, and exploring other partnership options. Staff said they would check ADA compliance and follow up with the chapel director; no formal action or agreement was made.

The board also discussed recent pickleball tournaments and continued planning for community courts, and staff said they expect to return with renderings and further details in November. Staff confirmed the Trick-or-Treat Trail is scheduled for Oct. 19 from approximately 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; the board discussed volunteer coverage and whether to staff a parks table during the event.

On administrative matters, the board approved the Sept. 4 minutes, and council liaison reported that capital improvement project submissions have been forwarded to the city council for review; parks budget reviews are scheduled for Oct. 15 and recreation budgets on Oct. 18, with capital budgeting occurring after the start of the new year. The chair said the strategic planning committee’s long-range use plan will go to the planning board in October and then to council, with possible approval in November.

Council liaison also said city council will review applications for the vacancy created by Rachel’s resignation at its next meeting and make an appointment; board members were encouraged to suggest candidates.

The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote. The board did not take formal votes with a recorded roll-call tally for the appointments beyond the voice approvals recorded in the meeting.