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Parks director reports rising program participation, senior meal counts and facility upgrades
Summary
Parks & Recreation Director Greg Barnes told the council the department saw strong participation in youth and adult programs, 66 volunteers contributing 519 hours (about $20,000 in service), and served more than 7,500 senior meals between February and June 2026; he also outlined ongoing facility improvements and a Farm Workers Monument brick campaign.
Parks & Recreation Director Greg Barnes reviewed department activity through June 2026 at the Santa Paula City Council meeting, reporting growth in classes, sports and volunteer engagement and outlining multiple facility and maintenance projects.
Barnes said the department saw robust participation in youth sports and recreation programs (including gymnastics, taekwondo, archery, micro soccer and drop-in volleyball) and that adult programs such as indoor pickleball continue to grow. He told council the city corps and volunteer program completed 239 projects during the reporting period, with 66 volunteers contributing 519 hours—work the city estimated at roughly $20,000 in community service value.
Senior services remain active: Barnes reported about 286 seniors participating in programs and roughly 7,500 meals delivered or served across home-delivered and congregate settings during the reporting period (about 4,200 home-delivered, 2,807 congregate and 520 city-funded Friday meals). Barnes also outlined facility work including City Hall landscaping, community-center renovations and Sports Park drainage and remote-irrigation upgrades. He said the Farm Workers Monument brick campaign sold more than 60 bricks in the first sales round and the city expects installation before Labor Day.
Council asked about the Teen Park restroom timeline; Barnes said demolition is complete, grading and utilities are underway and the restroom delivery is expected by the end of July or early August, with final installation and landscaping to follow.
Why it matters: Parks and senior programs represent core services for community recreation and well-being; reported participation and volunteer numbers indicate program demand and staff capacity, and the facility projects affect public use and accessibility.
Next steps: Barnes will return with routine departmental updates; the city will post registration and program information through its recreation channels.
