Leslie, Parks Department staff, gave a multi-item update on parks projects across Nelson Park and other sites, including Festival Gardens, AYSA sports fields and supporting building, the zoo parking lot, two new recreation centers, and Southwest Park.

On Festival Gardens, Leslie said parts of Grover Nelson have changed and that the fence pictured in staff materials will be removed: “In November, we will be, demolishing that fence and going back with a black fence that matches what is at AYSA and what they've started doing at the zoo to make it, more consistent and more appealing.” She also said a former shop at the south side of the garden has been demolished and will be incorporated into Festival Gardens, with some loss of southern area offset by gains on the north side.

Staff reported the AYSA boulevard is open, and the AYSA-supporting building and entrance are in place. The zoo parking lot is “substantially complete,” Leslie said, and “you can actually park in the parking lot now,” which helped events such as Boo at the Zoo. She said AYSA has hosted regular games and has a tournament planned in November.

On recreation centers, staff said two new centers are under construction and “are scheduled to be complete in early 2026,” though Leslie noted weather and winter conditions could affect the schedule. The board will be offered a tour once internal construction and safety clearances permit.

Leslie also reported that Chick-fil-A has opened on land the city leased within Southwest Park and that the city has started receiving a “small lease payment.” She described the undeveloped area behind the restaurant as a former detention pond and said staff expect grass to be reestablished for sports use now that construction is complete.

Board members thanked staff and private partners for accessibility and coordination at the combined complex around Nelson Park, AYSA and The Rock. No new project budgets or formal approvals were presented at the meeting.