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Ripon parks director highlights 2025 gains, new playground and higher participation
Summary
The parks director presented the 2025 annual report, citing new field work at Marine Park, the Selfridge inclusive-playground kickoff and higher participation — including 13,451 senior check-ins — and asked the committee to approve the report for council review.
Jason, the parks and recreation director, opened the meeting by presenting the department's 2025 annual report and said it "reflects the growth of the department as a whole." He highlighted completed projects, including the Marine Park quad/ball-diamond improvements, smaller upgrades at Warner Park and the kickoff of the Selfridge inclusive playground project that adds accessible play elements.
The director said sponsorships and collaborations helped expand senior programming and free offerings. He credited anonymous donors and the Webster's Foundation for underwriting senior luncheons and said the department recorded 13,451 senior check-ins last year, a figure that includes water-aerobics sessions. He also reported about 500 new rec-desk accounts created in 2025, which the department uses to register participants and manage reservations.
On finances, the director described a one-time $40,000 wood-chip purchase in 2024 that lowered park expenditures in 2025; he characterized the change in programming revenue as a "shift rather than a decrease," noting that some formerly paid programs were offered free with sponsorships or volunteer instructors. He urged the committee to review and approve the annual report for transmittal to council; members moved and approved the report during the meeting.
The director outlined priorities for 2026: targeted small park improvements, efforts to reach underserved age groups (people in their mid-50s and teens) and expanded video-based marketing to grow attendance. He also announced upcoming free community offerings: a first-aid and CPR class on March 25 (limit 16) and several seasonal events, and he noted the department expects delivery of 22'23 tons of infield mix to support diamond maintenance.
The committee voted to approve the annual report for council consideration. The director said he will make final revisions and forward the report once the committee's approval is complete.
