[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6521666,"mediaKeyId","5085929-b97291117fa543e216455c06ea9c60d6","parentId",5085929,"title","Dallas Parks outlines recruitment, succession plans and $126.2 million program request as vacancies challenge operations","audioSeconds",1162,"startMs",2652000,"endMs",3814000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5085929-b97291117fa543e216455c06ea9c60d6&start=2652&end=3814","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5085929-b97291117fa543e216455c06ea9c60d6/thumbnail_2652000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6521666/Dallas/Dallas-County/Texas/Dallas-Parks-outlines-recruitment-succession-plans-and-1262-million-program-request-as-vacancies-challenge-operations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521666-4c6e8594ae16081cd08830c398350483/orig.mp4?Expires=1770419452&Signature=l~t8KWVuQRJwIEoSq99sNMg3jq0DqKAWYKOHxkAej5TIBBBmpUf5klvYMBALmEuztOGWYV5ipTwd8eiuV0Ude4Cgvn-LLK9pvE5ju3xGDw1h64c3roGuq9wfmWw7RnX~t4oOFgz3T~DpqoMDKaKhYaVEZ4H5Zb7zyzXg7ghdbkGXYgARB0V6V9fXB-mJDndXYM0Z-W-CrwLSmUmgo4oaRHlL~sADXITrDRbc83p4egurhxxZgG600yiOG0sHJ3mjQjYO3krArb6mtSAnCWuZVOrKX0rdcEEMT55BeCn-vRuPJtXoOf4eZta-gWTEVRSLfFzRD7D3mYLC6ipHEo~EXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dallas","date","2025-06-26T00:00:00Z","article","Park and Recreation Department staff on June 18 presented an update on staffing, recruitment, succession planning and the department’s budget request for fiscal year 2025–26.

Staff said the department submitted 24 program requests totaling $126,200,000 and reported forecasted revenues of a little over $11,000,000 for the fiscal year, excluding Fair Park. The department’s requests are part of a broader \"vibrant foundational\" pillar in the city manager’s budget planning that groups Parks with the library, arts and other departments; that pillar’s total proposed budget was described in the briefing as about $213,500,000.

The presentation reviewed staffing numbers and vacancy drivers, noting heavy hiring and retention pressures in specialized maintenance roles (irrigation technicians, senior maintenance positions) and in recreation staffing. Staff said the department has developed succession‑management training pilots, and is expanding outreach to college campuses, trade schools and Dallas ISD career and technical education programs to widen the hiring pipeline.

Why it matters: the board heard that unfilled positions create backlogs on maintenance, slow facility work and complicate programming. Board members emphasized that lengthy online application and onboarding processes contribute to candidate loss and urged the department to speed phone responses and reduce time‑to‑hire.

Staff noted specific workforce actions: internal succession modules, training pilots to prepare candidates for promotion, tuition reimbursement participation and partnerships for apprenticeships and internships. Board members suggested increased storytelling and social‑media recruiting featuring employees’ experiences and short video vignettes to attract younger applicants.

Miss Heswig, a board member, said she still sees churn in liaison staff and facility service backlogs even as department metrics improve. Staff responded that although vacancies remain, the department’s vacancy rate has improved from prior years and that programs such as targeted job fairs and faster hiring coordination with the city manager’s office are shortening time‑to‑hire in some cases.

Staff and board members agreed to pursue technological improvements for job discovery and faster onboarding, continue outreach with Dallas ISD’s career and technical education division, and to bring follow‑up updates to the board before the next budget cycle.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Dallas - Dallas Park and Recreation Board - Jun 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Department staff briefed the board on recruitment and succession initiatives, high vacancy pressures in maintenance and recreation roles, and reported that Parks submitted 24 program requests totaling $126.2 million for the FY2025–26 budget; forecasted revenues outside Fair Park were cited at about $11 million.","taxTitle","Dallas, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",2781,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6521670,"Cedars group seeks city partnership for inclusive playground; Friends of Willis‑Winters Park donate $20,000",283,1438000,1721000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5085929-b97291117fa543e216455c06ea9c60d6&start=1438&end=1721","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5085929-b97291117fa543e216455c06ea9c60d6/thumbnail_1438000.jpg","/articles/6521670/Dallas/Dallas-County/Texas/Cedars-group-seeks-city-partnership-for-inclusive-playground-Friends-of-WillisWinters-Park-donate-20000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521670-6b6b36c9fcc1c39835546f2533028578/orig.mp4?Expires=1770419452&Signature=C470aijtEn1ChtG1tcq~vnYu2UAkXTdzBdzVmtaCL4iW5QQ9z9YUGCvXNQW2lXPIK9WEhDbngzuykfPuDS-ZwnsxeyU2ja339yZJuBqi6WKg7nREncubSmHJf3SvXNpGs~FiSZGgOECOnfz1vZkJEdnrJHFp6oAI6wN3IhPKRs6lwjrV3YOjtfnSuXAYfdk9m~0YovdL317ZFiGHEGBJdyNginF40oHZR8yS7aJcgiRnnNZEJDin3dao7F5A8eNdsgn8vNTh8VqIy17WjTfpwuas05yEiIKTNTVkSzTqg77IxzrwgZrn5aTEzB5wfTck941o0KwV9nMDbMFFhobYnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several members of the public used the board’s public‑comment period on June 18 to press the parks department for partnership and clearer timelines for neighborhood park projects.

Naima Hill, who identified herself as a Parks Community board member, a Cedars Neighborhood Association representative and founder and board chair of the nonprofit Abby Sunshine, asked the department to update the community on the Old City Park master plan and to incorporate neighborhood guidance. Hill said the Cedars has identified the underutilized green space at Holt City Park as its preferred site for a new inclusive playground and asked for formal city partnership so the group can pursue grants and planning approvals.

\"We would like an update on the status of the Old City Park master plan, and specifically how and when community guidance will be incorporated,\" Hill said. She described Abby Sunshine’s organizing activities, including the free Abby Sunshine Festival that drew more than 500 attendees, and the group’s successful Love Your Block grant.

Barbara Cohen, president of Friends of Willis‑Winters Park, reported accomplishments at Willis‑Winters Park and said the group was donating $20,000 toward future projects, including playground replacement and turf for the baseball fields. Cohen listed recent improvements at the park and thanked the department for its partnership.

Paul O’Connor, a resident who described leading volunteer cleanup work, offered to coordinate donation cleanups at problem sites and thanked staff for recent work at Pelican Point Sunset.

Why it matters: neighborhood groups are seeking concrete timelines and formal city collaboration to turn volunteer energy and small‑grant awards into constructed playgrounds and park enhancements. The board acknowledged the requests and asked staff to follow up on master‑plan timelines and permissions needed for community‑led projects.

Speakers encouraged continued communication between the department and neighborhood organizers so fundraising and grant applications can proceed with clarity on site use and timeline.","Residents including Abby Sunshine and Friends of Willis‑Winters Park asked the Dallas Park and Recreation Board for clearer timelines, community engagement on the Old City Park master plan and support for a new inclusive playground; Friends of Willis‑Winters Park announced a $20,000 donation for local park improvements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6521675,"Dallas Parks recognizes out‑of‑school‑time team, names Maritza Garcia professional of the year; board members honor departing Jeff",127,803000,930000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5085929-b97291117fa543e216455c06ea9c60d6&start=803&end=930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5085929-b97291117fa543e216455c06ea9c60d6/thumbnail_803000.jpg","/articles/6521675/Dallas/Dallas-County/Texas/Dallas-Parks-recognizes-outofschooltime-team-names-Maritza-Garcia-professional-of-the-year-board-members-honor-departing-Jeff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521675-8239a25dc83c93888c6e85e8bd131b3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770419452&Signature=CJ5ohV1ZpSlMFxvpdey8bcLyB5RLwyC14p3MxxFlm0~NRTnynVX2vgubYRYh5vf2~fdj0LrCd4lES206axgsSHoofOMrFG0s8h4Oepx3o4vxqhmiHxI55RO3d4kGecvBFE9QB55h1tsGui-lgvDMEDJNEsnAPWySdhf4ERW~i6P1uFrlwA1qQAM5VmkpHTvGNxobMDQaNZ2pAXNW4NoW5GmDxH90HKwuk0Pw4ItrhdY-OTY~~1D4h74cyoH3Ns1J0CG~s~70zGkjt9ImjGZn29F7MuC3yQXW2EN4~OIKaVRkGSgft93A0Vy-emSI-O88yc40NirzYLN5FLxIU8BNwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its June meeting the Dallas Park and Recreation Board formally recognized the department’s out‑of‑school‑time division and presented awards to staff, while board members offered public thanks to a long‑serving parks official identified only as Jeff.

Steve Baker, assistant director of recreation services, told the board the out‑of‑school‑time division had received two awards from the Dallas After School Network: a job‑commitment award honoring workplace culture and employee development, and a professional‑of‑the‑year award for Maritza Garcia.

\"When you invest in people, you strengthen programs and create lasting community impact,\" Baker said as he introduced the division’s work and presented the awards. Baker said the division is operating at a high standard and noted that 10 of the department’s 11 out‑of‑school sites achieved quality assurance certification this year.

Several board members used the meeting’s recognition period to thank Jeff, identified in the meeting as a park coordinator serving District 11, for his years of service. Board members praised his leadership, empathy and mentoring. \"The Jeff Kipner way is something that I think we should all emulate,\" one board member said, praising his focus on comity and public service.

Why it matters: the out‑of‑school time program staffs summer camps and after‑school activities widely used by Dallas families; high quality standards and staff development affect program safety and continuity.

Baker said the after‑school leadership team includes 43–45 part‑time program implementers currently working summer programs; he asked the board to recognize the division’s career‑path and mentorship efforts. Maritza Garcia was recognized for mentorship, staff training and cultivating school and community partnerships.

Board members repeatedly praised the department’s role in youth development and credited front‑line staff for keeping young people engaged and off the streets during summers and after school.

The board’s recognition segment closed with continued thanks to departing staff and encouragement that the department build on the out‑of‑school‑time division’s training and certification work.","The board recognized the Park and Recreation Department’s out‑of‑school‑time team with a job-commitment award, named Maritza Garcia Dallas After School professional of the year, and several board members publicly thanked a departing staffer, Jeff, for long service to District 11 and the parks system.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6521680,"Dallas Park Board rescinds PayTrack contract authorization after new information",183,2249000,2432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5085929-b97291117fa543e216455c06ea9c60d6&start=2249&end=2432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5085929-b97291117fa543e216455c06ea9c60d6/thumbnail_2249000.jpg","/articles/6521680/Dallas/Dallas-County/Texas/Dallas-Park-Board-rescinds-PayTrack-contract-authorization-after-new-information","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521680-5e3b2d8049319b5bde3df9e33efa5c29/orig.mp4?Expires=1770419452&Signature=df95jAaCbUOjWxqN0xP5l8qVSYWnzYaXLx3Re67hkuZn-4xWpL0CTpWaxCwf1pYTNb9QBHVfl-zk4leIQVQIkU-wlDX9tbSx9kLRyTCSiWVMWT~w6UQGpU1Nxvl6G1D7y3Mjk504qR7rTI-3VzreOxsdKTjCxYi-StmcQ504pjkoMkgGv1wXYGaa8GFfz6kEJiUWPpjjzosEbtjTObsqr4VQcHWea5w~poTbCJz6EjxcM847ykc5cxbau~IGoaetLmDVcttuM4t2pvv55WYvAiNsAmBH4LYxxAIh4yb5scldaOzjrmsG-eN2jjSo9nCArLibvKvkvbPRva5hP8gWwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dallas Park and Recreation Board on June 18 voted to reconsider and then rescind authorization for a three‑year service agreement with PayTrack, the vendor proposed to deliver a citywide payment-card and terminal solution for Parks and Recreation.

Board members moved first to reconsider agenda item No. 5 and then, after staff disclosed new information, voted to deny the item and cancel the current procurement so staff can reissue a competitive process. Director (name not specified) told the board the department had “received information that was not disclosed to the board,” and recommended staying with the existing contractor in the short term while staff reopens the solicitation.

Why it matters: the item would have authorized a multi‑year contract to provide EMV‑compliant card payments across parks facilities and recreation centers. Board members said the department and the governing board needed full disclosure before approving a multi‑year vendor engagement.

Director (name not specified), speaking to the board before the rescission vote, said the new information “was not disclosed to the board, so that you all can make an informed decision,” and asked the board to rescind the item to allow staff to resolve the internal issues and pursue a new RFP. “We need to look at our checks and balances and our processes,” the director said.

Board member Morgan moved to deny agenda item No. 5 and cancel the procurement; the motion carried after roll call. Board members thanked a staff member identified as Connor and a community consultant, Paul O’Connor, for work on related checks and balances; several members urged a full internal review of procurement procedures.

The board directed staff to keep existing payment services in place during the interim and to return with a new solicitation and any investigative findings. The board also recorded a formal motion to reconsider the prior action before taking the rescission vote.

Board members said the outcome balanced the need for uninterrupted payment service with oversight and transparency about competitive procurement. Staff said the city will cancel the current procurement record and begin a new solicitation; an internal review of how the omitted information reached the board was underway.","The Dallas Park and Recreation Board voted to reconsider and rescind authorization for a three-year PayTrack payment-services agreement after staff disclosed previously withheld information and recommended cancelling the current procurement and reissuing a request for proposals.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dallas Parks outlines recruitment, succession plans and $126.2 million program request as vacancies challenge operations

Cedars group seeks city partnership for inclusive playground; Friends of Willis‑Winters Park donate $20,000

Dallas Parks recognizes out‑of‑school‑time team, names Maritza Garcia professional of the year; board members honor departing Jeff

Dallas Park Board rescinds PayTrack contract authorization after new information