At the May 1 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, recreation staff reviewed project updates across city parks, announced a community engagement window for the Dean's Children's Park site plan and outlined construction and events schedules for playgrounds, courts and summer activities.

The Dean's Children's Park site plan: Recreation Supervisor Katie Herzock said the city has initiated public engagement for Dean's Children's Park. "There is an online survey that has been open for a couple of weeks and will close on May 12," she said, and staff will host an open house Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Island Park Elementary. Feedback will inform design concepts to be presented to the community in July and to the Parks and Recreation Commission on Sept. 4. Project information is posted at mercerisland.gov/dcpg.

Playgrounds and court work: Herzock reported ongoing work at Roanoke Park Playground, where crews are installing a new drainage system, preparing accessible play surfacing, adding crushed‑rock subgrade, removing old concrete footings and installing posts for new swings and spinners. Permits have been issued for the First Hill Park Playground and staff are finalizing the construction schedule. At Luther Burbank Park, field turf has been installed, construction fencing removed and landscape work is underway. Court surfacing for new pickleball courts is scheduled for early June, weather permitting; staff will post closures at least two weeks in advance and update rules at reopening.

Pickleball use and rules: Commissioners asked about court etiquette and scheduling. Herzock said: "Currently, there is no sign up or structured play at the court. So it is a show up, and play, hope there's court time, and hope other players are respectful of ... how much time they're using on the courts." Vice Chair Paul Burstein noted an online tool (playtimescheduler.com) that players use to indicate planned court use; he described it as not a reservation system but a visibility tool indicating who will be there.

Events and sponsorships: Staff previewed summer celebration planning (parade, entertainment, food vendors, fireworks) and listed confirmed sponsors including Mercer Island Martial Arts, Mercer Island Community Fund, Windermere, Bell Harbor and Puget Sound Energy. Mostly Music in the Park will have a presenting sponsor, Seattle Airstream Adventures, and staff confirmed family movie nights, summer camps and new open art studio dates.

Maintenance and volunteer work: Herzock thanked volunteers and partners: Bloodworks Northwest collected 25 units at a recent drive hosted at the community center; Eagle Scouts replaced 90 feet of fencing at Luther Burbank Park. Park maintenance teams reported turf restoration at South Mercer Playfields and ongoing integrated pest management responses to grub and beetle damage.

Boards and schedule: Herzock reminded the commission that boards and commissions recruitment deadlines were extended to May 9; chair and vice chair elections are scheduled for June 5 and the King County Library System will provide an annual update at the June meeting. Staff said all event and project dates will be posted on the city's project pages and that they will provide closure schedules at least two weeks in advance for court resurfacing and mural restoration.