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Board reviews 2026 capital priorities, grant reimbursements and accessible-playground plans
Summary
Board members heard that the Core is under budget, freeing funds for 2026 capital projects including tree plantings, Butler Park trail repairs, Central Park sound and lighting upgrades, a planned accessible playground and expected grant reimbursements totaling about $180,000.
The Green City Parks and Recreation Board on Aug. 6 reviewed proposed projects for the 2026 capital program and heard updates on grant reimbursements and park-specific improvements.
Staff said the Core facility is running under budget, which increases flexibility in next year’s capital program. "Shade was a huge need in our park system," a staff member said as they outlined projects that include system-wide tree plantings, pavement maintenance, ADA upgrades and the 1.2-mile walking path at Butler Park that needs resealing.
Staff highlighted plans to pursue grant funding for an accessible playground at Collecting Park and described planned upgrades to Kleckner Park’s Fields 1 and 2, including flat work and dugout replacements to match adjacent adaptive fields. The department also identified improvements for Central Park’s amphitheater—an expanded sound system and lighting to reduce reliance on visiting bands’ equipment—and potential shade sails at Spring Hill Sports Complex where subsurface drainage limits tree planting.
On funding, staff said the city expects roughly $68,000 from a State of Ohio capital grant and about $112,000 from an ODNR NatureWorks grant to be reimbursed to the city within six to eight weeks, pending city council approvals and scoring processes. A staff member said the department is working to submit projects to city council next week and that final capital adoption is scheduled for January 2026.
Why it matters: These projects affect park accessibility, maintenance and event readiness across the system; several items depend on external grant reimbursements and city council scoring and approval.
The board was invited to observe concept interviews for Veil Family Park design firms; staff noted sunshine-law limits on how many board members may attend in person. Staff also reported that leadership-class fundraising had generated pledges and donations of just over $8,000 toward a pavilion match, and that CDBG reimbursement is pending.
Next steps: Staff will submit the capital list to city council for grading and scoring, finalize grant paperwork, pursue grant funding for accessible-playground work, and schedule Veil Family Park firm interviews with a limited number of board observers.
