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Parks & Recreation director reports growth in youth programs, new amenities and payment-by-card rollout
Summary
Parks & Recreation director Todd Schrader told the council the department is expanding program capacity (swim lessons, youth sports), added new golf carts, opened the splash pad for the summer, introduced credit-card payments at the aquatic center and is planning a pavilion near the new playground.
Todd Schrader, speaking for Parks & Recreation, delivered the department’s annual report to the council on June 3, detailing program participation, staffing and capital notes.
Schrader said the department’s mission is to "provide quality programs that will enhance our community and provide health and environmental value to our patrons and guests." He reported growing participation, noting the Bolivar Barracudas youth swim team could top about 80 swimmers this summer and that swim lessons have expanded from two sessions to three to meet demand.
The department highlighted a number of operational changes intended to improve access and revenue: roll-out of credit-card payments at the aquatic center (with plans to extend card payments to ballfield concessions), an expanded fleet of golf carts (from 14 to 20) to meet demand, extended evening hours for the golf course, and the splash pad schedule set for Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Schrader reviewed parks projects (Greenwood Cemetery front-gate sign restoration, playground installation, potential pavilion with restrooms) and noted the department is tracking repair needs for five inoperative splash-pad heads. He also said staff will monitor CivicRec registration data to compare year-over-year participation.
Board members asked about program gaps and marketing; Schrader said most outreach is via social media and the CivicRec platform and suggested expanding adult programming (men’s basketball, pickleball leagues) as staff capacity allows.
What happens next: Staff will return with any proposed capital requests as part of the city’s budget process and continue to track participation and revenue after payment-by-card implementation.
Quote: "We want to serve our community by offering broad based programs and opportunities that will engage our patrons in recreational activities and provide a professional parks and recreational system," Schrader said.
