City outlines park upgrades and event plans; commissioners push for accelerated activation while updating design standards
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Summary
Parks and recreation told commissioners it expanded programming and restored summer camp and community events; staff asked for funding and partners to add lights, pickleball courts and a greenhouse program, while events staff sought help scaling GeorgeFest and Clifford House programming.
Parks, recreation and events staff told the commission on Jan. 13 that the department renewed and expanded several programs in 2024 and has a list of capital and programmatic priorities for 2025, including park upgrades, improved lighting, more full-time maintenance staff and larger regional events.
Parks Director Sam reported that youth, adult and event programming saw growth last year: summer-camp registrations rose to about 120 participants, seasonal athletic registrations increased, and new events such as trunk-or-treat and expanded WinterFest drew larger crowds. Staff said a community garden and emerging partnerships with local schools and nonprofits support youth education and recreation.
Events and communications staff said they plan to make GeorgeFest a more regional draw, to scale event marketing and to build a persistent brand so the festival draws visitors from neighboring counties. Events staff asked the commission to consider modest investments in b-roll video and social-media advertising to attract out-of-area visitors. Clifford House staff reported steady visitor numbers since opening as a staffed historic site.
Parks staff described capital priorities: regrading and resurfacing Carver Park, adding pickleball courts where demand exists, flood-protection and seawall work linked to waterfront master-plan objectives, new lighting and camera systems for parks, and consideration of a hydroponic greenhouse at the community garden for educational programming. Public works said it will support park maintenance but commissioners discussed expanding full-time parks maintenance positions to reduce reliance on part-time seasonal staff.
Commissioners asked staff to return with more detailed cost estimates and funding paths for a program to scale GeorgeFest into a regional event, for a parks master plan and for architectural/design standards that would guide downtown redevelopment so new projects align with the city—s aesthetic and maintenance expectations.