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Parks department reports Oktoberfest crowd, grant applications, World Cup watch party proposal and youth sports wrap-up
Summary
Parks staff reported the city fulfilled its Jesse James Festival agreement, said Oktoberfest drew about 2,000 people, noted grant applications for AED stations and playground surfacing, proposed a World Cup watch party for June 19, 2026, and said fall youth sports are wrapping up while winter basketball signups have begun.
Eric Marshall, a parks department staff member, reported a series of operational and event updates to the Kearney Park Board on Oct. 21. He said the city fulfilled its obligations under the public service agreement with the Jesse James Festival and that specifics about next year’s festival are not yet known. Marshall reported the department considered the Oktoberfest event successful and estimated about 2,000 attendees; city crews handled trash and restrooms during the event.
Marshall said the city is submitting a proposal for a World Cup watch party planned for Friday, June 19, 2026; a committee has been formed to organize that event and it would be funded separately from the parks department. He also said the department is applying for two grants to install AED stations in each park and is seeking a Lions Club International grant for pour-in-place surfacing at the playground in Jesse James Park.
On programming, Marshall reported fall youth sports are wrapping up and that signups for winter youth basketball have begun. In board discussion, Nick DiBenedetto raised online comments about a lack of seating at the skate park; Marshall said staff increased equipment in the park and hopes to add benches if the budget allows.
Votes at a glance: the board approved the Oct. 21 meeting agenda (motion by Lisa Cheeseborough, second Ashton King) and approved the Aug. 19, 2025 minutes (motion by Lisa Cheeseborough, second Jennifer Rose); both motions passed unanimously. The board adjourned to meet next on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. after a motion by Kristi Mayo and a second by Ashton King that carried unanimously.
Next steps: staff will submit grant applications, continue event planning for the proposed World Cup watch party, and bring any grant or bid actions back to the board as needed.
