Parks staff updated the committee on maintenance and training work, and the committee approved a planting expansion at Turtle Park while asking staff for cost estimates and a trial for permanent windbreaks at Butterfly Park.

Debbie, the Parks and Recreation Manager, told the committee crews have been trimming, cleaning and repairing equipment at sites across the system. She said crews recently trimmed oleanders near the track and exercise equipment at John L. Tompkins, removed rust and repainted basketball goals at the pavilion, and completed tree-trimming training for staff. Debbie also reported that council authorized carrying over funds to pay an electrician to install conduit and a new electrical box at the John L. Tompkins pavilion so the site can support lighting and occasional power needs for events.

On landscape and habitat work, naturalist Javier Gonzalez proposed installing low permanent windbreaks in Butterfly Park to protect tender native plantings from strong, funneled winds that damage the beds. Gonzalez said his experience at a birding center showed a modest north-side fence markedly improved plant health: “As soon as we did that the garden flourished.” He proposed a low structure—about 1.5 feet high, built of painted wood slats—that would block the funneling wind without enclosing the beds. Committee members suggested testing the approach by installing short trial windbreaks on one or two beds and asked Gonzalez to return with measurements and pricing. No final construction approval was given; the committee agreed to seek specific cost estimates and plant lists before taking action.

Separately, the committee voted to proceed with a plan to expand garden beds at Turtle Park and to install additional drip irrigation and new plantings intended to create native habitat for butterflies and migratory birds. A parks committee member moved to proceed with the plan as presented by Gonzalez and staff; the motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote. Gonzalez said most replacement and new plants would be available as one-gallon pots at roughly $8 or less each and suggested incorporating the expansion into the committee’s upcoming Arbor Day planting activities.

The committee also handled several routine items: it awarded “Yard Landscape of the Month” to 5904 Yucca Circle; it approved assigning one community garden plot at Butterfly Park to the single applicant who responded to the recent call for participants and directed staff to resend signup information to prior participants and post on social media to attract more applicants.

Committee members asked staff to return at the next meeting with specific cost estimates for a windbreak trial at Butterfly Park, a plant list and layout for Turtle Park bed expansion (to coordinate with Arbor Day), and any required materials costs so the committee can consider formal funding or bid actions.