Parks & Recreation Board Meeting

Highlights

• 🧑‍💼 The board’s budget subcommittee (Don Weber, Matt Lyman, Zach Gayner) proposed creating a Parks & Recreation Wellness & Events Coordinator—a part-time city staffer who would build sustainable programs, support North Plains Events Association (NPEA), and champion youth wellness. Suggested salary range: $40k–$75k depending on experience.
• 🧭 Members reviewed progress on Parks & Rec goal #2 (“acquire and develop a high-quality, diverse park system”) and noted that, since 2018, the city has added the Jessie Mays upgrades, new trails, and Brentwood mini-parks—leaving only the Pacific Avenue area underserved due to land constraints.
• 🧒 The board wants more structured programming (open gyms, youth activities, wellness classes) and sees the new coordinator as critical to coordinating volunteers, grants, and building usage.
• 🗂️ Members asked for a clean list of future events (Garlic Festival, Ice Cream Social, etc.) to clarify which are city-led vs. NP Events Association–led, making it easier to manage facility use.

Notes

• Wellness & Events Coordinator Proposal

  • Working title: “Parks & Recreation Wellness & Event Coordinator.”
  • Core duties:
    1. Create sustainable activities for the community (seasonal events, open gyms, youth leagues).
    2. Support existing city-run events and the NPEA (Garlic Festival logistics, permits, storage access).
    3. Increase use of Jessie Mays as a true community center (rentals, classes, potential revenue).
    4. Emphasize youth wellness across physical, intellectual, social, and emotional domains.
  • Coordinator would report to Parks & Rec via Public Works but focus on programming rather than maintenance.
  • Salary range purposely broad ($40k–$75k) to attract candidates with recreation programming or community-health backgrounds.

• Goal #2 Check-In

  • LOS target (acres per 1,000 residents) has improved with recent parkland acquisitions.
  • Most residents now live within ½ mile of a park; the Pacific Avenue corridor remains underserved since the small “Pacific Purple Park” playground was removed for dog-park conversion. However, the city lacks spare land/water rights there.
  • Board would like future CIP discussions to revisit land-bank opportunities in southwest North Plains when new subdivisions file plats.
  • Members also noted a need for better connectivity (trail signage, wayfinding) so residents know how to reach the new parks.

• Events & Rentals

  • Board discussed distinguishing between city-sponsored events, NPEA events, and private rentals so facility policies are clear.
  • The Garlic Festival was cited as unique (NPEA + nonprofit partners), whereas typical park rentals are smaller (graduations, family reunions).
  • Members reiterated that large private rentals (full park closures) would be challenging without a coordinator to manage logistics and cleanup.

Follow-Ups

• Staff / Council

  • Forward the coordinator proposal (including draft job description, salary range, and justification) to the budget committee/council for consideration in the FY 2025–27 budget.
  • Inventory available space around Pacific Avenue to see if any pocket-park opportunities exist (even if only for a swing set or small playground).

• Board

  • Prepare a summary of city-supported vs. NPEA events and facility needs so expectations are clear before summer.
  • Continue tracking Goal #2 progress and flag any LOS gaps created by upcoming developments.