Parks, Recreation and Culture presented an FY26 operating request of $9,712,550, detailing staffing changes, several capital projects moving into construction and pressures from rising contractor and chemical costs for pools.

The vote: The committee recorded a straw vote in favor of the Parks, Recreation & Culture FY26 proposal; one councilor registered an abstention.

Why it matters: The department manages a wide portfolio—street trees, playgrounds, athletic fields, pools, splash parks, community centers and special events—and several multi‑year capital projects will require coordination among departments and external partners and funding sources.

Nicole Banks, commissioner of Parks, Recreation & Culture, and Deputy Commissioner and City Forester Mark Welch briefed the committee. Banks said the department is nearly fully staffed, with one open forestry position and one new recreation manager position added in the proposed budget to support new facilities, including programming at the Cooper Center for Active Living.

Deputy Commissioner Mark Welch described a recent expansion of in‑house tree work that added three tree‑care positions and shifted work from contractors to city staff. He provided counts and program metrics: about 22,500 street trees citywide; 12 full‑time forestry staff when fully staffed; the city handled about 290 tree permits associated with construction since the tree ordinance took effect, roughly a year prior; and 450 exempt tree‑removal permits processed under the new ordinance. Welch said reported unauthorized removals were relatively low — “between 10 and 15 instances” in the ordinance’s first 13 months — and that proactive pruning and young‑tree care have increased.

Banks highlighted projects in active construction or design: Albemarle field (stormwater retention under athletic fields and a turf field with lights planned for fall), Burr Elementary fields, McGrath field project (with stormwater mitigation and permitting underway), and upcoming playground improvements and Crystal Lake Park meetings. She said many projects combine funding sources — Community Preservation Act funds, ARPA, state grants, developer mitigation, friends groups and school partners.

Councilors asked for data on pool and lake membership, expressed concerns about field lights left on when not in use, and raised maintenance issues such as fencing and a damaged roadway near Newton South used by students. Banks and staff said they will provide membership and utilization data, noted a new floater custodial position from Public Buildings to support more frequent cleanings, and said the department is adding $175,000 to real‑property maintenance in prior actions to address recurring maintenance needs.

The committee recorded a straw vote in favor of the department’s FY26 operating request; Councillor Farrell registered an abstention on the straw motion.