Windsor parks committee tours sites, approves gaga pit location and outlines pocket-park plans

The Village of Windsor Parks Committee toured multiple park sites April 22 and agreed on a location for a gaga ball pit at Terrace Park while discussing designs and maintenance for several pocket parks and outlots. Committee members instructed staff to consult the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan as a starting point for design and maintenance decisions.

Chad Courtier, Parks & Conservancy Manager, gave an overview of recent improvements at Terrace Park and said parks staff will install a gaga ball pit within the next few weeks; the committee agreed to place the pit between the park shelter and the new playground. Courtier also noted that the village held an Arbor Day tree planting at Terrace Park.

At Bear Tree Farms Tower Park, Courtier described the new pocket-park installation and recent playground equipment. Committee members discussed adding a park shelter, perimeter or property fencing, signage, additional tree plantings, picnic tables and garbage receptacles. Jamie Rybarczyk, Community Development Director | Deputy Administrator, was asked to review the village’s Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP) and update the committee on standard pocket-park components and recommended amenities.

The committee reviewed potential uses for Bear Tree Farms Outlot 8, including walking paths, gardens, prairie restoration, benches and trees; members emphasized that choices should reflect available staff time and equipment for ongoing maintenance. Committee member Jessica Gay said the Bear Tree homeowners association may want to participate in future maintenance if permitted by the Village.

Discussion of Bear Tree Farms Outlot 5 raised similar ideas—prairie, gardens, trees and benches—with the committee deferring final decisions until staff can confirm maintenance capacity and return with cost or resource implications at a later meeting.

Committee members also discussed establishing a new neighborhood park at Pleasant Hill Estates with proposed features such as a slide, monkey bars, swings, a shelter and amenities for older children and adults (for example, fitness or obstacle-course equipment). The committee again deferred detailed planning and site-specific decisions to a future meeting.

Bill Lapp moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:48 p.m.; Dick Woodburn seconded and the motion carried on a 7-0 vote. The meeting minutes were submitted by Jamie Rybarczyk; a line in the record notes the minutes were “Approved May 5, 2026.”