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Recreation director asks council to keep part-time coordinators, fund parks projects
Summary
Recreation & Parks Director Aaron Davis asked the Mebane City Council to continue funding two part-time positions and to approve capital requests including phase 2 of Kate’s Farm Park and a second basketball court; he also proposed fee changes for sheltered rentals and nonresident pickleball play.
Aaron Davis, recreation and parks director, told the council he was asking that the city continue funding two part-time positions—farmers market coordinator Lindsay Chaney and tenants coordinator Dave McGee—because “it would be hard to keep [programs] on the level that they're at without having those positions.”
Davis said the department’s projects over the past year include the Lake Michael connector and the Woodlawn entrance at the community park, and he told council staff expect the Lake Michael work to finish in the fall. He highlighted expanded programming at the Mebane Arts and Community Center (MAC), including a recent hosting of Alamance Children’s Theater, new senior programs and a PIO video outreach produced by Kelly Hunter.
On personnel, Davis requested a part-time pickleball coordinator to organize structured play, leagues and tournaments while preserving open-play time. “Bringing something structured on certain nights would be really beneficial,” he said, but cautioned the department may not match tennis-level offerings in year one.
Capital requests included phase 2 of Kate’s Farm Park playground to add inclusive elements for children ages 2–5 and an additional basketball court near the MAC with lighting to relieve heavy use at existing courts. Staff noted the proposed court site may require a variance because sewer lines run through parts of the parcel.
Davis also proposed small capital purchases—new pedal boats and an ATV for trail maintenance—and fee changes: a revised fee structure to include pickleball programs, an annual indoor nonresident fee for pickleball open play, and raising shelter rental fees from $25 to $40 for four rentable shelters. He said current MAC availability is limited and cited the center’s high usage as a reason to modernize pricing.
Councilors thanked staff and asked follow-up questions about parking, potential sewer conflicts at the basketball-court site, participation after extending hours, and how the department will balance rentals and resident access. Davis said staff will return with additional details as projects are vetted for the FY26 budget.
The council did not take a vote; staff were asked to factor workshop feedback into the budget the council will see again on April 10.
