Parks Committee 10/13/2026

The Bryant Parks and Recreation Committee met on October 13, 2026. It approved the prior meeting minutes by motion and second. The Bryant Softball Association reported participation and scheduling updates, including 231 registered players in 2026 spring softball and 22 fall teams, and discussed field-practice access and recurring parking constraints. The committee took no vote on the department’s proposed 2027 budget items; a city budget workshop was scheduled for October 27. Proposed capital priorities include resurfacing Mills Park trails, replacing lighting at softball and lacrosse fields, purchasing a new bunker rake, and replastering the pool. The trail overlay is estimated at $200,000, with a potential city share of $40,000 if an 80/20 grant is awarded; field lighting is estimated at $550,000. The director indicated pool replastering may be necessary to keep the pool open. A full-time development and partnerships manager was also proposed for the budget to support fundraising, sponsorships, and events.

The director reported that a replacement scoreboard had been ordered following storm damage. The replacement will use Fair Play equipment, with Rainey identified as the local distributor and service provider; no cost was stated. The report also noted that the newly paved Mills Park connector trail is expected to open soon and was completed using available project savings. No committee vote or spending authorization for the proposed 2027 budget items was reported.