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To: Board of Commissioners




From: Michael Gasparini
Subject: Superintendent of Parks
Date: October 13th, 2026

The new playground at Pioneer Park replaced equipment that was nearly 20years old. Nearby families
have shown considerable interest, and staff have observed more patrons using the playground since its
installation. The new fitness equipment is scheduled for installation later this year, weather permitting. If
conditions prevent installation, the work will move to early 2027. These improvements are giving Pioneer
Park a welcome facelift.

Kevin has taken full responsibility for flower planting and has brought a thoughtful eye to the park’s
appearance. He planted mums at all park signs and along the edges of the raised beds near the Turtle
Splash parking lot, adding fall color throughout Reed Keppler Park. He will also enhance the arbor near
the ARC Center entrance. His attention to placement and presentation has made a noticeable difference in
the park.

The Memorial Garden at the north end of Reed Keppler Park celebrated its grand opening on September
26th. Danny Fahlgren handcrafted the case surrounding the plaque, and his craftsmanship added a special
touch to the garden. Additional plants were installed, along with a chalk holder box for easy access for
children to use while coloring butterfly stencils or drawing on the concrete. A new swing bench with
wings that move as visitors swing is expected to be installed near the garden. Further planting and
completion of the remaining small items will help the garden fill in next year.

The final walkthrough at Turtle Splash identified items to address during the offseason. Although several
larger expenses are anticipated, our maintenance team can complete most of the work in-house
throughout the offseason.

We are preparing to bid tree pruning for the dormant months. The planned work will address trees
identified for priority and hazard pruning throughout the parks, with additional emphasis on finishing
pruning at Reed Keppler Park and completing pruning at Pioneer Park. Contracted work will focus on
trees greater than 12 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH), leaving smaller trees for our staff to prune
in-house.

In September, maintenance staff replaced the wood planking on the Cornerstone bridge. Before work
began, a contracted bridge engineer inspected the supporting frame and provided a stamped assessment
confirming it was in good condition. Staff then proceeded with the deck replacement. Although the
existing planking remained generally sturdy, scattered areas of rot had created holes that were becoming a
concern for pedestrians.

The third and fourth trains for the Full Steam Ahead project were placed at the Library and FNBC Bank.
These permanent installations sit on concrete pads, rather than the lumber bases used for the temporary
trains. Parks Department staff are also assisting with installation of the Read and Roll signs in front of
Educare on Forest Avenue near Pioneer Park. We appreciate the opportunity to support these community
partnerships.
The Hampton Hills pathway behind the homes was replaced and widened slightly to accommodate
vehicle access. A new path was also installed to the Turtle Pavilion to provide an accessible route to the
pavilion.

Maintenance staff have begun replacing split rail fencing and have completed the stretch along Joliet
Street. Remaining work includes Wilson Road, several locations at Pioneer, Prestonfield, and Cornerstone
parks, and the area around the caboose at the ARC Center. Staff will continue as conditions allow, with
the goal of completing the work before the ground freezes.
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