Recreation and Parks Commission 9.28.2026

City of Merced Recreation and Parks Commission meeting (September 29, 2026; the meeting title references 9/28). The commission unanimously approved a motion to schedule a tour of leased youth facilities for October 28 at 2 p.m.; no procurement or spending decision was voted on. In the director’s capital-project update, the baseball complex project had accumulated about $1.3 million, and QK Landscape Architects had been awarded the design work, with construction documents expected to go out to bid later this year. The city also reported approximately $1 million in state funding dedicated to replacing the McNamera Park turf, with about $600,000 still needed; replacement planning is continuing with soccer clubs and community foundations. The Merced Regional Sports Complex opening is now anticipated in spring 2027 as the turf establishes.

Other funding and project updates included roughly $140,000 in unspent ARPA funds identified across city projects, with the department reporting that the funds would support a new tortoise exhibit at Applegate Zoo and related infrastructure. A move to the Merced Senior Community Center was originally estimated at $140,000–$150,000, but escalating costs have complicated the plan; an updated report is expected next month. A state California Arts in Parks grant is supporting phase one of the General Vang Pao Park project, which staff aim to complete for a November 11 ribbon cutting. Public comment raised upcoming state CPR/AED certification and cardiac-response-plan requirements for youth sports organizations, but no commission action was taken on that matter.