Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission - October 14, 2026

The City of Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission’s regular meeting on October 14, 2026, included several park project and spending updates. Staff reported that East Main Street Community Park construction is moving into staging under Outlier Construction, with an approved project budget of up to $3.3 million. The commission reviewed a proposed playground for a later phase, estimated at just under $600,000 for the baseline design and roughly $700,000–$800,000 with upgrades. No action was taken; staff will assemble more cost and funding information for consideration in the next capital improvement plan (CIP). Hunter Park tennis courts had a total contract budget of $1.2 million and a current project cost just over $690,000; East Main Park and the tennis courts received a combined approximately $1.6 million in state grant reimbursements. Staff also said work to replace damaged driving-range netting is expected to start in November, following bid-related delays.

The commission approved, by roll-call vote, Option B for the Mimsy/Alice trail reroute, conditioned on Forest Service approval, a request to expedite its section, specified trail closures/decommissioning, and a one-year review. It also approved an exemption to the parks’ integrated pest management policy for a limited pilot application of imazapic in a restoration project at Hald Strawberry; the motion passed with one recorded no vote. Separately, commissioners approved rehabilitation of the Abraham Lincoln statue, to be funded by a private donation through the Ashland Parks Foundation, with only minimal potential city in-kind support. No vendor award or new playground contract was approved.