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Gladstone parks board hears maintenance update; loop trail contractor to mobilize Oct. 16
Summary
Public works staff told the Parks and Recreation Board that crews have removed invasive plants, cleared small encampments, and that a contractor will mobilize this month to build a paved loop trail; staff also reported a submitted dog‑park grant and an approved ADA bird‑blind grant for Stone Nature Park.
Silas Richardson, the city’s public works representative, told the Gladstone Parks and Recreation Board on Oct. 13 that routine maintenance is continuing across parks and that several short-term projects are moving forward. "We're continuing on with the trash pickup and some bathroom cleaning in all parks two days a week," Richardson said, noting crews also have been mowing and performing graffiti cleanup.
Richardson said crews cleared about 15 cubic yards (roughly 3,000 square feet) of invasive blackberries at Meldrum Bar Park, removed logs from a boat ramp after recent rains, and cleared two small encampments near Dahl Beach and under the 99 Bridge, removing an estimated 8–10 yards of debris. "We cleaned up two small encampments," he said.
On construction, Richardson said the contractor for the city’s paved loop trail is scheduled to mobilize equipment and materials and hold an on-site meeting Oct. 16; he described a target of substantial completion by the end of October, weather permitting. "Their schedule is to have substantial completion within, like, a week and a half," he said, while cautioning that the timeline depends on weather and site conditions.
Design work is also under way for a restroom and picnic area tied to the trail, with civil engineering site evaluation in progress. Richardson said the RC track erosion-control plan is still awaiting permitting, with product installation hoped for in late October or early November.
Funding and grants were discussed at length. Richardson said the city submitted a grant application for a dog park at Meldrum Bar Park that, if funded, would pay for fencing, trees and a water source within the park footprint. A staff member introduced as Michelle, the community center coordinator, reported that a separate grant for an ADA-accessible bird blind at Stone Nature Park was approved and will move through routine council business the next day.
Board members also discussed outreach to increase local votes for Metro grant rounds and asked staff about the status and allowable uses of a local "Good Neighbor" or WES fund; Richardson said he will investigate eligibility and balances with city administration.
Members raised concerns about durability of certain park features after reviewing a photo of a nature play area at Westmoreland Park showing rotting logs after roughly eight to 11 years. Richardson said the city has reached out to Sourcewell for concept drawings and procurement support and hopes to move toward a contract by early next year.
The board discussed standardizing trash receptacles across parks: Richardson said most of Cross and Ames Park have the new cans and about 10 remain to deploy. Members requested staff check small-pocket parks such as the one off Ridgegate for a waste station and follow up on tree plantings that did not take.
The meeting closed with board members praising parks staff for vegetation management and trail upkeep. "It's been taken care of, and it feels good," Ian Moore said, thanking the crew for their work.
Next steps: staff will follow up with the city administrator on grant‑funding rules and the Good Neighbor/WES balance, confirm placements for remaining receptacles, check on poop‑station availability at small parks, and circulate Sourcewell concept drawings when they arrive.
